OPPOSITION councillors are demanding answers after The Observer revealed the council made a £285,000 'exit package’ payment.

The Observer understands the Tories intend to lodge an official motion calling on the council to make payments of more than £50,000 – outside annual pay – to be brought before councillors, so they can be scrutinised.

The move comes after Slough Borough Council refused to reveal the identity of the assistant director whose departure led to the payment.

She took voluntary redundancy in the last financial year. The amount, from the council coffers – funded by taxpayers – is made up of a severance payment and contractual redundancy payments.

There were also exit package payments of £149,000 and £92,000 made last year.

Tory Cllr Diana Coad, leader of the opposition, said: “We will be pushing the council for answers. Taxpayers fund this council, but it doesn’t seem to care how it throws their money away.” Residents have also expressed their 'disgust’. Mark Stevens posted on The Observer Facebook page: “Would be in the public interest to be transparent, why do they need to hide the details? Doesn't it also set a precedent for those that follow?” Outraged readers also vented their feelings on The Observer’s website. Democracyatwork posted: “The amount is so large that ordinary people can only look on in disbelief whilst wondering why the council bangs on about being short of money whilst at the same time wasting so much of it.” AnoldSloughman added: “I just cannot understand why we should not know the name of the individual involved. What a cosy little arrangement they seem to have for senior management at our town hall.”