Three cheers for the Audit Commission, which has finally roused itself to look into the phenomenon of local government chief executives getting ridiculous pay-offs, only to find six-figure jobs at other local authorities within a matter of months.

They’ve concluded that it’s not on, which is difficult to argue with. What’s easier is the reaction of John Denham (on the BBC).

Local Government Secretary John Denham backed the report’s recommendations and has urged the Local Government Association to see they are adopted.

He said: “Taxpayers’ money should not be used to resolve personal differences. It is time we find a way to change the rules so taxpayers’ money can be clawed back where the system has been exploited.”

Er, aren’t the pay and rations of council staff dictated by a series of Local Government Acts, employment legislation (signed into law by Labour) and regulations/statutory instruments that this government has had 13 years to adjust and amend? Is John Denham surprised by these pay-offs? If he is, he should read Private Eye a bit more carefully because they have been covering this stuff for years.

It’s not just the size of the pay-offs or the fact that subsequent LA employment doesn’t seem to have any bearing on them. It’s the fact local government leadership is so incestuous, with the same pool of individuals going from council to council building up their pensions and taking these parting payments. We need more people to move out of the private sector into the public sector and bring a new perspective on how local government is run – and we need a legislative framework that breaks up the current musical chairs and supports inter-sector transition.

Incidentally, the chief executive of the Audit Commission is leaving at the end of the month. Does anyone know whether he’s been given a few meagre coins to see him on his way?