A COUNCIL chief at the centre of a pay rise row has announced his retirement.

Paul Walker, chief executive of Hartlepool Borough Council, became embroiled in controversy when it emerged he was to receive a £10,000 pay rise, taking his salary to £168,000.

As a result of the row, Mr Walker agreed to take a month’s unpaid leave which would save the council about £13,000.

Last night, he said the public outcry had not influenced his decision, adding that he has had long-term plans to retire close to his 60th birthday in August.

Mr Walker handed in a three-month retirement notice to Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond on Tuesday.

Mr Walker said: “The last couple of years have been challenging but great efforts have been made to maintain as many services as possible.

“The next 12 months will be equally testing, but the council has already done a lot of work to prepare for the future.

“After 40 years in local government, I am looking forward to my retirement and wish Hartlepool every success in the future.”

Mr Drummond said the move could save the council more cash and it would now consider a number of options, including sharing a chief executive with a neighbouring council, promoting someone from within or combining the mayor and chief executive’s positions.

Meanwhile, it emerged yesterday that former Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council assistant chief executive Richard Fryer received a £93,000 pay-off after only two years in the role.

Mr Fryer, 45, worked at the council for two years after arriving from the same post at Barnsley Metropolitan Council.

He was paid £115,596 a year in salary and benefits at the council before the position was abolished.

A spokesman for the council said that the redundancy package took into account Mr Fryer’s lengthy period of service with previous local authorities.

He added that the move would ultimately save the authority money.