A FORMER council chief executive who resigned after being suspended from her post has taken up a new £130,000 job in Stoke-on-Trent.

Jeanette McGarry, pictured, left East Staffordshire Borough Council "by mutual consent" in December after being suspended for alleged misconduct.

She left the authority, which covers Uttoxeter, before the issue was resolved or made public.

It has since emerged that the district council paid Mrs McGarry £121,333 when she left – equivalent to 10 months' basic pay for loss of office – and a further three months' wages in lieu of notice.

The severance deal included a legally-binding confidentiality clause covering her suspension and subsequent resignation. The borough council has since appointed Andy O'Brien as its new chief executive.

Now Mrs McGarry has been appointed as Stoke-on-Trent City Council's new director of housing, environmental and neighbourhood services.

The post, which was advertised in April with a salary of up to £131,000, involves running a brand new directorate. Her challenges include trying to reduce the 7,500 empty homes and the 9,000-plus council house waiting list.

Uttoxeter's borough councillor David Brookes hopes Mrs McGarry will be successful in her new job.

He said: "I feel she will do well as she was obviously very skilled and experienced to get the chief executive's job at East Staffordshire.

"I don't know all the details of her decision to leave the borough council, but I understand it was by mutual agreement."

A source who has worked with Mrs McGarry in local government, said: "Jeanette uncovered some things at East Staffordshire that she wasn't very happy with and tried to put a stop to.

"As a result, she made some enemies and found herself in a difficult position.

"Rather than go through a lengthy legal process to clear her name, she decided to draw a line under the events and go elsewhere.

"She was actively headhunted by 10 other local authorities before she took the job in Stoke-on-Trent."

He added: "I know she is delighted with her new position."

A city council spokesman said: "The city council appoints on merit, and Jeanette McGarry was the best candidate from a very competitive field.

"She brings considerable skills, experience and knowledge to Stoke-on-Trent, which she will use for the benefit of the city and its residents."

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