Cheshire East Council has announced that Chief Executive Erika Wenzel left the Council by mutual agreement on 30th June, 2012, following a period of sickness absence.
Erika was appointed to the role in October, 2008, prior to the formation of the new Cheshire East Council in April, 2009. She led the authority through the transition from two-tier local government, bringing together the former boroughs of Crewe and Nantwich, Macclesfield and Congleton along with half of the Cheshire County Council, to form the new unitary authority of Cheshire East.
According to the statement of accounts for 2010/11, on CEC's website, her salary was £189, 260, which included a £15,000 allowance for acting as the Returning Officer for elections. Her total package, including expenses and employer's pension contribution or that year is listed as £226,318.
Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: "I had limited experience of working with Erika, but I have huge respect for anyone who has built a business from scratch and people tell me that she achieved much in those first three years.
"I now wish her a speedy recovery and I am sure that that she will see that the hard work and commitment that she gave to the Council will provide a solid foundation for great things to come.
"I am pleased that a mutual agreement has been reached with Ms Wenzel. I am fully aware that the amount of £93,550 that has been agreed for Erika's departure will give rise to much comment.
"It should be noted that a substantial element of this relates to contractual notice and I would point out that this is significantly less than the average of £256,000 paid in respect of chief executives who left their posts by agreement as revealed in the most recent study by the Audit Commission, and vastly less than the £589k that Kent County Council's Chief Executive recently received.
"I do appreciate though that, in these austere times, many people may feel that this is still a lot of money, but I can promise that we have given careful thought and consideration as to what will give the best outcome for the taxpayers of Cheshire East.
Councillor Wesley Fitzgerald, former leader of Cheshire East Council, added: "Erika and I worked closely together over the last three and a half years forming the new Council that is Cheshire East.
"I would like to pay tribute to the diligence and hard work that she put into the birth of the new Council and in helping to bring together the different cultures and ways of working. Cheshire East is still a young Council, growing and learning and maturing but with a great future and I am proud to have led it, with Erika, to where it is today.
"When I look back, the last three or so years have been the first era of this great Council and it is now time for a new era to commence with a mature vision. I add my wishes to her for a speedy recovery."
Erika Wenzel said: "I have enjoyed immensely my time at Cheshire East Council. In October 2008 I was the sole employee of Cheshire East Council. Over the coming months more people joined me and one of my proudest moments was when I walked through the doors of Westfields in Sandbach on 1 April 2009 as Chief Executive of the brand-new Cheshire East Council.
"Looking back, the challenges and success were equal, in particular, bringing together four different cultures and ways of working was as challenging as it was enjoyable.
"I am so proud of the staff at Cheshire East, who never ceased to amaze me with their hard work, tenacity and commitment. Without their support, my job would have been a lot harder and I would like to thank them personally. I look forward to watching Cheshire East Council grow and I wish them every success for the future."
Comments
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And I'm sorry to bring this up again - but she was the CEO of Cheshire East Council at the height of the waste transfer problems when her Deputy CEO, the Head of Finance and Borough Solicitor/Monitoring Officer, along with others, were allegedly up to all sorts of no good with your money.
So what does her departure mean? Will she still be part of the investigation which is/will be taking place? After all, it seems that some of the behaviours of her staff may have been actually illegal in both the UK and the EU. Does changing your job mean that you get to avoid facing questions about the potentially illegal activities of those you manage. Perhaps she might feel sufficiently conscious-stricken to use part of her generous pay-off to assist with the reimbursement of the council taxpayers of Cheshire East.
And here he is again, still with lots to say - Wesley Fitzgerald, the man who was Leader of the Council throughout the waste transfer matter. Will he be facing the enquiry too? Alongside current Council Leader and former Portfolio Holder for Resources, Michael Jones who told me recently that he would not speak to me because of my negative comments. You know what? If you people stop all these negative behaviours which cost the residents of Cheshire East so much of their hard-earned cash, the rest of us will stop being mean to you!
Bah! You're disgusting!
http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2012/07/25/shropshire-council-boss-kim-ryley-in-shock-exit/
It will be interesting to know at the end of the enquiry into the Lyme Green debacle whether any senior members of staff are removed by mutual consent and the extent to which they have taken sick leave and how much compromise package costs. The £800,000 spent at the abandonment of Lyme Green could be well understated when/if we know the full extent of what the outcomes of the enquiry are.
It was interesting to read Wesley Fitzgerald's comments on Erika Wenzel, it is just a pity that he hasn't the decency to resign as a councillor and take the ultimate responsibility of being the leader of the council when the waste transfer site at Lyme Green was illegally developed. And if he claims not to have known about it at the time, then he should have done.
And where is he? Come out, come out, wherever you are, Wesley Fitzgerald. We think you and Ms Wenzel should be appearing before the waste transfer enquiry explaining yourselves - what you knew about was alleged to be happening or, if you didn't know anything, why didn't. you know anything? It was your job, Ms Wenzel, and it was way before you went on your extended sick leave - so were you just not paying attention?
And, if you didn't know, Mr Fitzgerald, that's pretty puzzling too. Were the officers hiding things from you? Or were you not paying attention either? The two of you were in positions of responsibility about this and the taxpayers want to know how you managed to let it go so badly wrong.
And let's not forget Michael Jones, the Portfolio Holder for Resources, during the waste transfer fiasco. After he had finished beating his chest and telling us he relished the opportunity to put things right, he remembered that, oops, he was up there in a position of responsibility during all this too.
I see that John Nicholson, Lisa Quinn and Caroline Elwood are to appear before the external investigation, but wonder if Michael Jones, Wesley Fitzgerald and Erika Wenzel will be called to explain themselves too.