In brief – 17 March 2010

Transparent pay offs

A LOCAL authority watchdog has voiced its concern over the amount of money being paid out when councils part company with their chief executives.

The Audit Commission, which polices councils in England, said yesterday (Tuesday) that not all severance deals investigated had been justified and called for more transparency in the process.

During the last 33 months, 37 council chief executives in England agreed severance packages totalling £9.5 million, an average of just over £250,000.

The commission said: “Severance deals can be in the interests of the council and the taxpayer. But our research shows that not all such deals are justified, that competent chief executives have sometimes lost their jobs needlessly, and that less effective individuals have been paid-off rather than dismissed.

“The Commission wants all deals to be more transparent. They should be reviewed by scrutiny or remuneration committees, with details published shortly after they are agreed.”

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Ferry fury

SHETLAND MSP Tavish Scott is to challenge transport minister Stewart Stevenson this afternoon (Wednesday) on his plans to change the timetable of Shetland’s lifeline ferry service to Aberdeen.

Mr Scott said last night: “I have received many representations opposing the proposed changes to the timetable, both from individual islanders and from businesses. It is clear that the proposed earlier sailing times for the services that run through Orkney will cause significant problems if they are imposed.

“Equally, the threat to leave us with a single passenger vessel service in winter is the cause of serious concern. At the meeting I will make clear to the minister the strength of opposition to the government’s proposals.

“I will also inform him of the anger in Shetland at the government’s attempt to impose these changes without consultation. I will urge him to think again and to step back from imposing these damaging changes.”

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Care information

PEOPLE in need of care should find the information they require easier in future, thanks to a new information service.

Care Information Scotland (CIS) offers a single point of contact through one phone number – 08456 001 001 – and one web address at www.careinfoscotland.co.uk

The system gives detailed information on the range of community care services available from local authorities, the private and voluntary sector.

Lerwick south councillor Cecil Smith said: “From now on, older people in Shetland, their friends and family, can easily get accurate information on what services are available and how they can get access to them.

“Locally we have been working hard to make services accessible directly to people with support needs and I’m sure Care Information Scotland will prove to be very useful for older people and their families across Shetland.”