News

The boss at Kent County Council (KCC) who is leaving her £197,000 job after just 18 months is reportedly picking up a £450,000 pay off.

Managing director, Katherine Kerswell joined KCC in March 2010.

She was brought in to replace Peter Gilroy and lead a reorganisation.

It is unclear whether she has now resigned or whether she has been made redundant.

The news follows weeks of rumour over the managing director's future and her continued absence.

It is unknown what the terms of any payoff might be but it is reported by the Kent Messenger that sources say it could be in the region of £450,000.

Liberal Democrat councillor, Tim Prater is reported saying that from the statement the council has put out, it reads like she has resigned and if she did, why is she being paid off at all?

A statement from Kent County Council said: "Katherine Kerswell has done an exceptional job at Kent reshaping our approach to service delivery and recasting our overall management arrangements.

"She is a first-rate public servant with tremendous skills at making large organisations work well.

"Her management direction has helped produce very significant savings to the Council and confirmed Kent's position as a leading authority.

"In just 18 months we have shifted from an approach that was highly departmental to one based on the whole organisation working together for the people of Kent.

"We now expect our Cabinet and chief officers to work more collaboratively together. This way of working has already resulted in improved services to Kent's residents and lower costs to Kent's taxpayers."

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©