Million pound pot for retiring council man

Published on Friday 29 April 2011 12:32

A SENIOR director of the city council has left his role - triggering a huge pension pay-out.

Jim Inch has stepped down as director of corporate services after agreeing to take early retirement.

Council officials say that there are no direct costs to the council of his retirement from his 120,513-a-year post. But he will start benefiting from a pension pot now worth over 1.3 million, and his retirement will automatically trigger a 160,390 lump sum payment.

Mr Inch sent a message to all council staff, thanking them for their work and support.

His retirement follows that of former chief executive Tom Aitchison, who stood down at the end of last year and received a 209,845 lump sum from his pension. Director of finance Donald McGougan will also leave his post in June, which will earn him a payment of at least 170,802.

The pension deals have been labelled "obscene" by taxpayer groups. A review is underway into the posts held by Mr Inch and Mr McGougan. Temporary appointments are to be made for six months as chief executive Sue Bruce decides whether to revamp the corporate services and finance departments.