Glasgow and Cordia
Cordia is one of the arm's length bodies set up by Glasgow City Council - see posts dated 20 and 22 January 2011.
Cordia is on the news again - but this time over the early retirement of its chief executive, Fergus Chambers - who earns £130,000 a year apparently.
According to press reports Fergus is leaving his post - and he's not the only one - other senior officials are set to leave too - under enhanced redundnacy packages for staff over 50 years old.
But if you were to ask Cordia: "What the cost of the chief executive's early retirement package - have extra years been added to the pension pot - and if so on what basis?"
The sad truth is that Cordia wouldn't have to tell you - because as as arm's length body - Cordia is not covered by the current Freedom of Information (FOI) rules.
The generous treatment of senior council officials - stands in stark contrast to the treatment of the carers, cleaning and catering staff - who actually deliver front-line services to the good citizens of Glasgow.
And what adds insult to injury is that Cordia - and other similar bodies - can avoid public scrutiny because of the narrow scope of Scotland's FOI rules.
Let's hope the Scottish Parliament steps in - and tightens up the current regime - can't come a moment too soon.
Cordia is on the news again - but this time over the early retirement of its chief executive, Fergus Chambers - who earns £130,000 a year apparently.
According to press reports Fergus is leaving his post - and he's not the only one - other senior officials are set to leave too - under enhanced redundnacy packages for staff over 50 years old.
But if you were to ask Cordia: "What the cost of the chief executive's early retirement package - have extra years been added to the pension pot - and if so on what basis?"
The sad truth is that Cordia wouldn't have to tell you - because as as arm's length body - Cordia is not covered by the current Freedom of Information (FOI) rules.
The generous treatment of senior council officials - stands in stark contrast to the treatment of the carers, cleaning and catering staff - who actually deliver front-line services to the good citizens of Glasgow.
And what adds insult to injury is that Cordia - and other similar bodies - can avoid public scrutiny because of the narrow scope of Scotland's FOI rules.
Let's hope the Scottish Parliament steps in - and tightens up the current regime - can't come a moment too soon.
