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£240,000 Newham boss quits in shock departure
Tim Stewart15 Jul 2010
Britain's highest-paid town hall chief executive quit his £240,000-a-year job at Newham council suddenly today.
Joe Duckworth will leave the borough - one of the poorest in the country - after only two years. He was going on a family holiday before taking his career "in a new direction". The council would only say Mr Duckworth would be "moving on", and would not comment on speculation he was pushed.
His departure leaves the Olympic borough searching for a new chief just two years ahead of the Games.
Mr Duckworth was awarded the record salary when he was hired to head the council in one of Britain's most deprived areas. The figure did not include pension contributions, bonus payments or expenses.
The pay packet infuriated opposition councillors in Newham, which has 5,000 people in temporary accommodation, the highest proportion of overcrowded housing in Britain, and high levels of child poverty.
Mr Duckworth said: "The past two years have seen a step-change in the delivery of services. I have enjoyed my time but after two hectic years I have decided to take my career in a new direction and to seek new challenges."
Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales said: "Joe has brought great energy to the council and I am delighted that together we have improved so much for residents. Newham wishes him the very best for the future."
Before arriving in Newham, Mr Duckworth ran the Isle of Wight, where he angered locals by leaving the £150,000-a-year post after two years. He promised to transform the island's fortunes, but the council was only awarded a two-star rating, meaning services met only the most basic standards.
Reader views (13)
Newham is in a terrible mess and this top down command and control mentality just has to stop if we are to see any improvements in the borough! The payout deal to Joe is ridiculous! It kills the creativity, trust and collaboration in the organisation.
When will the Sir Robin Wales stop wasting hard earned money that could be far better spent on what residents actually need. The Mayor has kept everybody in the dark, so much for his promise of "openness & transparency!
- Kim Spencer, Tower Hamlets, 22/07/2010 21:59
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as someone working in Newham council, and who sees the sharp end of the cuts, with loyal staff getting the chop to "save" costs (never mind about the service reductions), it fills me with despair that there are so many highly-paid managers who appear to do nothing except pass down the queries, and monitor our performance. In the past, the whole of the Environment Dept was run just by the Borough Engineer. Now it is so politicised, with "performance this" and "cannot do that " everything costs more because of the "rules" and "hoops" we all have to jump through so as to show that we are consulting to the "nth" degree.
Bring in the Government!
- chris, newham u k, 16/07/2010 18:47
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Dave London "Aw just when call me Dave was sending the kids to school there, o well still got Tower Hamlets Dave, we are all in it together. lol
Why are you blaming David Cameron for acts carried out by a borough run by the LABOUR party!!
David cameron has got to try to get us out of the crap that labout got us into, and it seems that Labour run councils still think they are beyond reproach. Shame the labour aprty have not done more for their residents, i.e in education etc.
- E Sullivan, London, 15/07/2010 23:30
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Same old story. The poorer & deprive the council is the bigger the top brass pay,salaries & expenses are.No wonder the area is so poor and deprive.If, only these people would reside with the boundary of the borough, perhaps then would definitely be able to empathise with locals to whom their first concern should be with.
- Ern,Expat,UKTaxpayer, Clermont,Fl,USA, 15/07/2010 22:52
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Wonder what message he will leave for his successor in the desk draw!!!
- Gary, Lightwater Surrey, 15/07/2010 18:38
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As a Newham residents, I was shocked to learn about Mr Joe Duckworth's £240k high salary, but it gets worse, as he only works 4 days a weeks (so it £240k for part-time work). He spends the rest of this time in the Isle of Wight. So how can he be committed to the Borough, if he does n't even want to live in Newham?
This is the fault of Sir Robin Wales who is Mayor of Newham, for squandering our money. He has awarded himself a big pay rise at a time when we are seeing Newham Council cuts and freeze pay. At a time when locals are struggling with money in one of the most deprived areas, this is how people high and mighty milk the little people.
- W.L., London, 15/07/2010 18:08
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Newham hs a lot of problems caused by Sir Robin Wales and his highly paid lackeys. He has just awarded himself a huge pay rise, and all the councillors have seen an increase in their aloowances. Perhaps the Chief Exec is leaving so they can afford thei increases.
As for Joe Duckworth saying there has been a step change in services in his two years - I agree - a backwards step. Newham is run by Sir Robin and I pity the fool who thinks thy can work with him as a chief ecec.
- bob, stratford, London, 15/07/2010 17:11
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Another completely useless public sector underperformer, now get the rest of them out, go on, we are right behind you on this. Gawd blimey, I had no idea these useless parasites were paid so much. Hope he stays away for along time, the only direction he should go is to work in a charity shop
- Kevin Bollox, London, 15/07/2010 17:02
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This man runs out on everywhere that he goes! Who are the idiots who wanted him at such a high price?
He is all talk and no substance.
- Mark Cleminson, Richmond, BC. Canada, 15/07/2010 16:56
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I wonder how much his replacement will be payed.
- shallotman, Basildon, 15/07/2010 16:26
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I'd love to know what his payoff is.
- Stephen C, London, 15/07/2010 16:08
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Aw just when call me Dave was sending the kids to school there, o well still got Tower Hamlets Dave, we are all in it together. lol
- Steve, london, 15/07/2010 15:40
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Quote: Britain's highest-paid town hall chief executive quit his £240,000-a-year job at Newham council
Joe Duckworth will leave the borough - one of the poorest in the country.
Says it all really, doesn’t it?
- mickinlondon, london, 15/07/2010 15:27
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