AN online campaign has been launched in a last ditch attempt to prevent a £275,000 pay-out to retiring Derry City Council chief executive Sharon O’Connor.
The massive golden handshake has provoked a storm of protest with citizens demanding that councillors explain the pay off.
Ms O’Connor, who only took up the post in November 2011, She said her departure was due to “entirely personal reasons.”
She announced she was leaving earlier this year. The council has agreed to pay her £275,000.
Ms O’Connor joined Derry council on an annual salary starting at £107,500 plus expenses.
The council had approved a £10,000 salary increase for whoever would replace former chief executive Valerie Watts – despite staff suffering a two-year pay freeze. Ms O’Connor was quickly forced to defend being granted a £500-a-day mentor, stressing it was a vital part of her “bedding-in” process.
Ms O’Connor also requested that thousands of pounds of ratepayers’ money be paid towards her rent, in lieu of removal expenses she may have incurred coming from Co Down to live in Derry.
Ratepayers however are trying to stop the golden handshake.
Their Facebook page has already received more than one thousand likes and shares since its launch this week.
You can find a link here:
Those behind the campaign are planning mass emails to councillors and staff to express anger at the pay off.
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