Gloucester City Council workers fuming over suspended boss's departure with six-figure pay-off

SUSPENDED council chief Phillip Staddon has left his job with a six-figure pay-off, leaving rank-and-file workers fuming.

Gloucester City Council employees were told yesterday the corporate director of regeneration "has decided to leave" after 13 years but it's left a sour taste with some, who have seen three workers fired over a long-running nepotism row.

"Other people have been suspended subject to a disciplinary but a director gets a pay-off – that stinks," said one worker, who has been warned not discuss the matter.

The council refused to say whether Mr Staddon had been cleared of alleged involvement in the original investigation into nepotism.

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That affair saw one manager sacked, another resign and one more disciplined after a post was apparently filled unfairly.

It is understood two more sackings were made in the council's regeneration directorate over separate nepotism allegations.

He earned £85,000 per year and it's understood he is leaving with a severance payment of around £100,000.

"After 13 enjoyable and rewarding years at the council, I was keen to explore taking on some new and different challenges in the development and regeneration sector," said Mr Staddon in a statement issued by the council.

"My decision has coincided with a time when the council needs to make significant cuts to senior management to achieve budget savings. I will remain Gloucester based and will take a keen interest in Gloucester's continued progress.

"It is a great city."

Council leader Paul James said: "Phil has served Gloucester well for more than a decade and has played a major role in the city's regeneration, particularly at St Oswald's Park, the Docks and Gloucester Quays.

"More recently, he has led the successful negotiation of the development agreement with Stanhope for the King's Quarter scheme and led the council's accommodation review. We wish Phil well for the future and thank him for the significant contribution he has made to the work of the council and the regeneration of the city."