A COMPROMISE deal on the future of a top council boss who lost his job to his deputy has been agreed by Blackburn town hall leaders.

And the final package is likely to cost the council in the region of £100,000 in redundancy payments and wages.

The agreement on the future of deposed chief executive Gerald Davies -the man who helped Blackburn with Darwen gain unitary status - was settled at a specially called private meeting last night.

Former deputy chief executive Phil Watson will take charge at the town hall from tomorrow with an £80,000 salary package. But the man he replaces has been given the option of staying in his job for another five months. He will also get a compensation package based on his salary.

He will get paid until the end of March,1998, unless he leaves the council and will also get a redundancy payment of between £60,000 and £70,000. There is also also a £5,000 payment to cover Mr Davies's costs and to protect the town hall from legal action.

Money that Mr Davies earns through outside consultancy work while he is still employed by the council will be paid directly to the town hall.

Behind the scenes negotiations have been going on since May in a bid to solve the situation.

Councillor Malcolm Doherty, Labour leader, said: "The appointment of a new chief executive was agreed in May.

"Since then the current post holder, Gerald Davies, and the new chief executive, have been sharing duties.

"Mr Davies has been dealing with the work of the current authority and Mr Watson has been dealing with the issues relating to the establishment of the new authority."

Coun Doherty said: " Mr Davies has presided over a successful period for the council and was prominent in the bid for unitary status. But like almost all the new of the new unitary authorities we felt it appropriate because of the changed nature of the role to advertise nationally for the post. Mr Watson best suited to the role."

Conservative leader Jim Hirst said: "Mr Davies's track record has been exemplary and his knowledge and experience should be recognised."

Paul Browne, Liberal Democrat leader, added: "Mr Davies' efforts in helping us to gain unitary status should be applauded."

Mr Davies declined to discuss the matter at his Wilpshire home last night.

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