Almost half a million pounds was spent on “compromise agreements” with former staff by Lincolnshire County Council in the past year.
The agreements, which usually involve a pay-off in exchange for the employee agreeing they will have no further claim against their employer, are often used in cases where staff have been off work on long-term sick leave or there has been a grievance.
Of the £459,806 Lincolnshire County Council paid out between October 1, 2011, and September 30, 2012, £317,147 was paid to 14 members of school staff.
The agreements were also made in cases where there was a question over the employee’s capabilities and in school restructures.
A further £142,659 was paid out in children’s services and resources and community safety cases.