A DECISION to scrap the chief executive post at Oxfordshire County Council has been overturned today by councillors.

The move, voted through last month by councillors, would have made the position redundant by June and granted chief executive Joanna Simons a redundancy package amounting to almost £600,000.

But following a challenge by the council’s Labour group, subsequent legal advice said the decision would not stand.

Today, councillors agreed to rescind the decision to issue a notice of dismissal to the chief executive.

But they refused to agree to reconsider the proposal to restructure the senior management team, refused to agree a timeframe for reconsideration, and refused to delegate the power to issue a notice of dismissal of the chief executive to the remuneration committee.

As a result, there is no longer a proposal to make redundant the chief executive’s post.

County council leader Ian Hudspeth apologised to the council for the way the decision was taken last month.

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Following the meeting at County Hall he said: “Legal technicalities meant we had to withdraw the decision.

“I apologise for the fact that due process was not followed and that is why we had to come back here today.

“We are looking at saving money and have to explore all the options.

“I know Joanna will continue to carry out her work very professionally.”

Mr Hudspeth said he would now discuss with leaders of the opposition groups the potential way forward.

“I hope all options will be discussed including operating without a chief executive,” he said.

“There will be a focus on the whole senior management structure, not just the chief executive’s post.

“There is no timeframe on this at the moment and a report will have to come back to cabinet at some point.”