The annual accounts of the 32 local authorities showcase the huge cost of the high-value payoffs, with taxpayers being charged for this.
North Lanarkshire Council has defended itself after it forked out millions to high-ranking officials after leaving their roles.
The annual accounts of the 32 local authorities showcase the huge cost of the high-value payoffs, with taxpayers being charged for this.
Town halls have complained about suffering financial strain in the upcoming years thanks to underfunding by the Scottish Government, with record high rises in council tax and public services being slashed.
Despite this, spending on “golden goodbyes” has soared from £12.6m in 2022/23 to £21.9m in 2024/25, almost doubling.
And it is the Labour-led North Lanarkshire Council which tops the list with £15.4m spent since 2022, with SNP-led Glasgow City Council in second on £11.3m.
The data, compiled by the Scottish Conservatives, shows total spending on exit packages of more than £100,000 since 2022 has been £62.6million.
Scottish Conservative shadow finance and local government secretary Craig Hoy MSP said: “Hard-working Scots who’ve been hammered by rising council taxes will be furious that councils have shelled out millions on golden goodbyes.
“Our local services are at breaking point, but instead of fixing the issues that actually matter, council bosses are allowing the bill for public-sector payouts to balloon.
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“Taxpayers are sick of SNP- and Labour-run councils spending their money on the wrong priorities while our frontline services are on their knees.”
A spokesman for North Lanarkshire Council said: “Characterising exit packages as “golden goodbyes” is completely misleading as these payments don’t go directly to individuals, with the vast majority going to the pension fund, and around 40 per cent based on notional calculations rather than actual cash payments.”
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