Council refuse to reveal ex-boss ‘£320,000’ pay-off because it would ‘hurt her feelings’
Nicola Bulbeck, 59, was chief executive of Teignbridge Council in Devon and retired in June after 11 years
A COUNCIL that gave its boss a pay-off will not say how much because it would “hurt her feelings”.
Nicola Bulbeck, 59, is said by a whistleblower to have got £320,000.
She was chief executive of Teignbridge Council in Devon and retired in June after 11 years.
Her golden handshake is still officially a secret two months on despite local outrage.
Her successor Phil Shears said they would not reveal her “financial standing”.
He said: “I have asked, ‘Would the disclosure cause unnecessary or unjustified distress. The answer is yes.”
One resident in Newton Abbot said: “It’s outrageous the council are keeping this secret because it would hurt her feelings.”
Another, Colin Down, 84, said: “It’s a disgrace.”
Ms Bulbeck was on a salary of £142,000 and sparked fury last year when she got a 12 per cent pay rise.
At her £600,000 six-bed home in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, she said: “I have no comment to make.”