Spotlight on South Lanarkshire

As regular readers know, I submitted an FOI request to South Lanarkshire Council about the early retirement of its former Executive Director of Corporate Services - see post dated 25 October 2010.

Here's the gist of the council's response:

"Dear Mr Irvine

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) - Request for Information

1 The employment of the Executive Director, Corporate Resources, Mr Alan Cuthbertson was terminated on conclusion of his fixed term contract with access to pension benefits in line with the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 1998 as amended.

2 Mr Cuthbertson was 51 years of age on the date his employment terminated.

3 The principle of fixed term contracts for Executive Directors was approved by the Executive Committee on 27 February 2002 and Alan Cuthbertson's employment was terminated on 31 March 2006.

4 Mr Cuthbertson was awarded maximum compensatory added years in line with pension the regulations. This had the effect of increasing Mr Cuthbertson's pensionable service by 7 years and 6 days.

5 The capitalisation cost was £291,990.

South Lanarkshire Council"

So the upshot is that South Lanarkshire Council spent almost £300,000 - of public money - in allowing one of its senior officials to retire early - boosting his pension package by 7 years and 6 days in the process.

But what the council fails to explain are the reasons behind this decision - and whether or not they conform with the rules of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

I have since asked the council for a review of its initial response - watch this space for further details.