By Sally Guyoncourt Thurrock Council’s managing director has been given a £400,000 pay off in a sudden departure, shrouded in secrecy. David White made a hasty exit from the Tory-led Essex authority last Friday (30 June), after four years leading the council. An official statement from the leader of the council, Cllr Terry Hipsey, claimed Mr White and the authority had agreed it was ‘time for a change of direction’. But opposition councillors believe Mr White’s departure was a political sacking which will cost the taxpayer dearly. Labour group leader Cllr John Kent said: ‘David White’s fate was sealed on Friday at a hastily-convened “kangaroo court”. I have asked the council leader on three separate occasions the reasons for dismissing Mr White, and on each, he has been unable or unwilling to give reasons to me. ‘This has all been done in a cloak-and-dagger way.’ Cllr Kent said he believed the recent change of leadership within the Tory party had been the catalyst to Mr White's removal, which he added would be an 'expensive one' for the taxpayer. The financial package agreed with the council for Mr White is believed to be £347,000, rising to £400,000 when legal fees are included. Cllr Hipsey, said: ‘Mr White has made a significant contribution to Thurrock. Under him, the council’s performance ratings have improved, and we will be able to build on his good work in future. ‘Mr White and the authority have agreed that now is the time for a change of direction and approach. This will involve a review of the senior management structures of the authority and Mr White has indicated he intends to look for pastures new.’ He refused to be drawn on the reasons behind Mr White’s decision to leave. Mr White, who joined the council in 2002, after eight years as chief executive of Suffolk Health Authority, released a short statement saying it was an ‘opportune time to move on, knowing I leave a job well done’. mjnews@hgluk.com
