A COUNCIL has confirmed the departure of a senior education official after ten years in the post, a move which will cost taxpayers £377,000.

Jeremy Fitt, 55, joined Hartlepool Borough Council as director of education in 1995 as the town prepared to take control of education from the disbanded Cleveland County Council following a shake-up of local government.

He helped the council gain several accolades, including awards from Ofsted, the Department for Education and Skills and the Audit Commission.

There has also been a dramatic improvement in school attainment levels.

But this year, he turned down the chance to take up the new post of director of children's services, opting to take early retirement.

He said: "This decision has not been taken lightly.

"I have taken into account a range of factors, both professional and personal, and concluded that it is the right decision for me at this stage of my career.

"I hope colleagues within and outside the council will feel that over ten years I've done the job I was privileged to be asked to do.

"Now it's time for someone else with new ideas to drive forward the new children's agenda. I will certainly leave Hartlepool with very happy memories, professional pride and valued friendships."

Mr Fitt will leave in the summer.

The total cost of his release from the council comes to £377,476.

That is made up of an early pension payment of £155,894, a pension entitlement of added years of £138,968 and a redundancy payment of £82,614.

The new director of chidren's services post, which includesresponsibility for the current children's element of social services, will be advertised in the coming weeks.