TAXPAYERS have stumped up £4.2m over the past four years for pay-off deals for public sector workers, the Oxford Mail can reveal.

Council, NHS and police chiefs in Oxfordshire were paid the cash under compromise agreements, which bar ex-employees taking action for future claims and often require them not to reveal details of the settlements.

Some 268 have been signed since 2007, but most authorities refused to explain why payments, often labelled ‘hush money’ were made.

Only ambulance and police chiefs said why they were signed, with other bodies citing data protection and Freedom of Information laws in not releasing details.

Thames Valley Police said it paid out £52,774 across the same period over allegations of sexual, racial and disability discrimination against the force.

Agreements are signed to resolve outstanding issues and bar workers bringing further action in court, which are open to the press and public.

Government advice says reasons can include unpaid wages and allegations of dismissal on sex, race, religious and disability grounds.

It comes in the wake of the £110,000 pay-off to former West Oxfordshire District Council boss Cath James.

The payment to the ex- strategic director for environment is the single biggest 2010/11 figure.

Labour Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, a strong critic of the council’s refusal to explain the payout, said: “This is public money and the public has a right to know.”

The information was disclosed afterFreedom of Information requests by the Oxford Mail.

Robert Oxley of the TaxPayers’ Alliance said: “Councils and public bodies shouldn’t be forking out taxpayers’ money to try to protect their reputation.”

Oxford City Council spokesman Louisa Dean said the agreements were standard practice at the authority.

Of its £1.4m payouts, she said: “Redundant employees receive a payment because they have been redundant, which is a requirement by law.”

They are asked to sign to show “what has been agreed in clear terms for employees and the authority”.

County Council spokesman Paul Smith said “rigorous legal analysis” determined its £1.6m payouts.

MONEY BREAKDOWN

Oxfordshire County Council Number signed 2007-2011: 145 Cost: £1,606,342 Biggest payout: Not given Reasons: Not given as would take longer to compile than limit set under Freedom of Information rules.

Oxford City Council Number signed 2009-2011: 62 Cost: £1,443,781 Biggest payout: Not given Reasons: Not given as would take too long to compile.

Cherwell District Council Number signed 2007-2011: 6 Cost: £123,261 Biggest payout: £36,787 Reasons: Not given as would take too long to compile.

West Oxfordshire District Council Number signed 2007-2011: 3 Cost: £164,000 Biggest payout: £110,000 Reasons: Confidential and would take too long to compile.

South Oxfordshire District Council Number signed 2007-2011: 6 Cost: £118,322 Biggest payout: Not given Reasons: Would breach confidentiality.

Vale of White Horse District Council Number signed 2007-2011: 4 Cost: £33,649 Biggest payout: Not given Reasons: Would breach confidentiality.

Thames Valley Police Number signed 2007-2011: 3 Cost: £52,774 Biggest payout: Not given Reasons: Allegations of sexual, racial and disability discrimination.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust Does not hold a central record of compromise agreements.

NHS Oxfordshire Number signed 2007-2011: 28 Cost: £464,054 Biggest payout: Not given Reasons: Not given as would breach confidentiality.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust Number signed 2007-2011: 5 Cost: £167,500 Biggest payout: Not given Reasons: Not given as would breach confidentiality.

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust Number signed 2007-2011: 6 Cost: £10,100 Biggest payout: £9,700 for unfair selection for redundancy. Reasons: A £400 claim about pay reforms. Details not available for others.

Total: £4,183,783