Harman payoff approved at £65k

FORMER council chief Chris Harman today accepted a £65,616 pay-out from Stoke-on-Trent City Council to quit his post.

The interim chief executive left the authority this afternoon after members of the human resources committee agreed on the settlement.

At the end of a three-hour debate, which took place behind closed doors, council leader Ross Irving revealed that the pay-out had been approved by eight votes to one.

The settlement is equivalent to six months' salary in Mr Harman's £131,232-a-year permanent role as assistant chief executive, rather than the higher salary of about £157,000 for his acting role.