A CONTROVERSIAL strategy to retain workers at Hartlepool Borough Council is to be reconsidered.
Under the scheme, Hartlepool Borough Council would be able to give officers an extra ten per cent of their annual salary if they were offered a job elsewhere.
The idea had been approved by the council's cabinet but the scrutiny co-ordinating committee has called the decision in, which means it must be reconsidered.
The scheme was approved after the council lost a number of key staff to higher-paying authorities.
It was originally approved on Tuesday, May 4 and includes a "golden handcuffs" agreement for new employees, with progressive salary increases and a lump sum after staying in their post for an agreed period.
The strategy was called in after three members of the scrutiny co-ordinating committee's said it was unconstitutional because the authority must always try to obtain the best value for money.
It is only the second time that a cabinet decision has been called in by the scrutiny committee.
The issue will now be debated at Hartlepool Civic Centre at a meeting on Monday, from 11am.
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