The chief executive of Dundee City Council has said he was “reluctant” to let five senior officers take early retirement.
It was revealed on Tuesday that five of Dundee City Council’s most senior and long-serving officers had their applications for early voluntary retirement accepted by the council.
It will save the council almost £400,000 a year and allow it to reduce the number of departments it runs from 10 to six.
However, in an unprecedented step, chief executive David Dorward has said no pressure was put on them to stand down.
“The five senior officers are among the most respected senior officers within the council and in line with many other staff they applied for early retirement under the council’s approved scheme,” he said. “As chief executive, I have given these applications extensive consideration, and in light of the very difficult financial situation facing the council in the future, I reluctantly had to agree to their request for early retirement.
“These five senior officers who requested early retirement have been excellent public servants and have worked tirelessly for the city of Dundee and the council for very many years. They will be sorely missed by myself, elected members and staff and they deserve to retire from the city council with the utmost respect and dignity.”
Dundee City Council has to find savings of almost £15 million this year and, for the first time, offered employees the chance to take voluntary redundancy or early retirement in a drive to save money. More than 500 applied to leave.
“As with many organisations in the public and private sectors, the city council is undergoing changes to meet the challenges of the current financial position,” said Mr Dorward. “The request for voluntary retirement from these five officers will enable the city council to meet some of these challenges.”