Row over council chief's pay-off

John Lindsay has worked for East Lothian Council for about 40 years

A deal to give a council chief executive nearly £300,000 for standing down has come under fire from the SNP.

East Lothian council officals recommended chief executive, John Lindsay's job go on "efficiency grounds".

The recommendation was accepted by councillors and he now stands to receive £131,000 in redundancy cash.

He will also receive a retirement lump-sum payment of £155,000 and a pension of £55,000 a year.

The retirement of Mr Lindsay, 59, after more than 40 years in local government was announced on 8 February and takes effect in July.

However, under the shake-up, his department is to be merged with another, reducing the number of director-level jobs from five to four and making him redundant before his retirement date.

This would result in an estimated net cost of £62,000 next year, but annual savings of £131,000 after that, equating to an estimated £381,000 in savings to the council.

SNP MSP Kenny MacAskill said: "With council tax bills having rocketed and council workers facing pay restraint, this sticks in the craw of workers and citizens alike.

"No wonder many saw some local authority positions as sinecures."

A Tory party spokesman said: "It is up to the voters of East Lothian to decide if they are getting value for money when they look at this kind of deal."

A spokeswoman for the council refused to comment on the deal on grounds of confidentiality, but said it formed part of budget proposals which were passed by a full council meeting.