Megabucks early exit deals probed

Fury over Glasgow golden handshakes

- PAUL HUTCHEON

GLASGOW City Council is hiring a lawyer to investigate exit packages for former senior staff worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Scrutiny of the early retirement deals will take place amid an angry backlash over its cost-cutting plan to axe 450 teaching posts.

A top lawyer will be drafted in after concerns were raised by SNP council leader Susan Aitken, city treasurer Ricky Bell and Glasgow Labour chief George Redmond.

The council, which has been run by the SNP for a decade, has made big cuts in recent years to plug budget black holes.

Signature buildings like the City Chambers have been sold, waves of redundancies pushed through and services cut.

But despite huge financial pressure, 2023-24 accounts show two senior staff were given six-figure early retirement packages.

Annemarie O'Donnell, the former council chief executive who retired this year, received a £357,845 "in year" contribution to her pension.

Elaine Galletly, former director of legal and administration, received a £223,065 pension contribution and £59,971 for "compensation for loss of office".