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Glasgow City Council, along with some other local authorities in Scotland, offers the option to pay council tax in either 10 or 12 monthly instalments.(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\nAudit Scotland also said the absence of scrutiny by Glasgow council over the payments was “deeply concerning”.Glasgow City Council, along with some other local authorities in Scotland, offers the option to pay council tax in either 10 or 12 monthly instalments.(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Former bosses at Glasgow Council have been criticised by a watchdog over \u00a31m of golden goodbye payments<\/a>.<\/p>\n Audit Scotland said the decisions \u201cfell short\u201d of the behaviour expected of public servants<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Record revealed last year that five senior figures at the local authority had left with exit deals without the knowledge of SNP council leader Susan Aitken.<\/a><\/p>\n These included former chief executive Annemarie O\u2019Donnell who received a \u00a3357,845 \u201cin year\u201d contribution to her pension.<\/p>\n Elaine Galletly, former Director of Legal and Administration, received a \u00a3223,065 pension contribution and \u00a359,971 for \u201ccompensation for loss of office\u201d.<\/p>\n O\u2019Donnell agreed to repay money after the row broke.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Scottish Labour veteran handed key role by Anas Sarwar in Holyrood election campaign<\/a>READ MORE: Angela Rayner admits she did not pay enough tax on second home purchase<\/a><\/p>\n Audit Scotland, which scrutinises public spending decisions, has investigated the payments and issued a critical statement.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for the organisation said: “The processes, decisions and actions that enabled five senior Glasgow City Council officers to take significant early retirement and redundancy payouts fell short of the behaviour and standards expected of public servants.<\/p>\n \u201cBetween 2021 and 2024, five senior officers left the council, including the former Chief Executive. The restructuring proposals appear to have been approved by some individuals who directly benefited. Given the seniority of the officers leaving, restructuring proposals should have been considered by the relevant council committee for councillors to scrutinise.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe absence of independent scrutiny from councillors and formal documentation, including details of how decisions were made and evidence of value for money, is deeply concerning.<\/p>\n \u201cThe action taken by the new Chief Executive has been welcomed by the Accounts Commission. After councillors became aware of the departures, an internal investigation was actioned, leading to the commissioning of an independent review. The council accepted and implemented its recommendations.\u201d<\/p>\n Andrew Burns, Deputy Chair of the Accounts Commission said: \u201cThe actions taken by a group of senior staff at Glasgow City Council fell short of the values and principles every public sector worker and councillor are expected to follow. There was a failure to address and document how potential conflicts of interest were considered.<\/p>\n “And a failure to demonstrate how the guiding principles of working in the public sector – in particular selflessness, integrity and objectivity – had been applied.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is alarming to see reports which need to consider the lawfulness of actions within councils, and such circumstances do little to reassure taxpayers about how public money is being used. All councils need to undertake restructuring, particularly with financial pressures, growing demand and an ageing workforce.<\/p>\n \u201cGiven the issues highlighted in this report, the Accounts Commission will write to all council chief executives and leaders to highlight the importance of good governance, value for money and transparency in decision making.\u201d<\/p>\n A spokesman for Glasgow council said: \u201cWe welcome this report, which reflects the findings of the independent investigation commissioned by the council.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Commission\u2019s findings will support the action the council is already taking to improve oversight and transparency and to rebuild trust; both within the organisation and with the public.\u201d<\/p>\n