A LEADING member of a Teesside council looks set to leave the authority - at a cost to taxpayers of £377,000.

Hartlepool Borough Council director of education Jeremy Fitt, 55, has decided to opt for early retirement after a shake-up at the authority.

He was offered a newly-created post as director of children's services with an annual salary of £98,000, but turned it down.

With no other director level alternatives, the council is concerned that it would be in a weak position if it was stated that the director of children's services post was a suitable alternative to redundancy.

Mr Fitt instead favours a statutory redundancy, with a redundancy payment of £82,614, early payment of pension of £155,894 and added years coming to £138,968.

That leaves a total sum of £377,476 if he were to take it. A council spokesman said that no final decision on his future had been made.

However, a council cabinet recommendation that he be released is expected to be approved by a committee on Friday.