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Bridgend MP Madeleine Moon , who has previously expressed her anger over Mr Lewis'
departure, said today: 'The auditors may find the decision legal but local people will view it as inept.' Authority is rebuked
on its timing: A golden handshake given to a council chief guilty of 'misconduct' over an election scandal WAS lawful.
But auditors called in to investigate the £365,000 retirement package for Bridgend's former chief Keri Lewis issued a stern
rebuke to the local authority.
They concluded the cash should not have been handed over until an investigation into his role in the electoral services
controversy was complete.
Mr Lewis had been responsible for election officials Janet Wile and Delyth Lucas, who were sacked for major counting errors
in three elections and for falsely claiming more than £50,000 in expenses.
After Mr Lewis retired, an external independent investigation by Tim Kerr QC concluded 'shortcomings' in his performance
amounted to 'misconduct'.
But he also said Mr Lewis had not known about the unlawful payments Mrs Wile and Mrs Lucas made to themselves.
The report compiled by Bridgend council's auditors KPMG after complaints from disgruntled residents has also revealed:
There was no up-to-date appraisal of Keri Lewis' performance
That councillors were not given all the options, specifically one of dismissal, prior to agreeing to Mr Lewis' departure
That some members believed the package was 'take it or leave it'.
But the auditors found there was no recorded evidence of under-performance by Mr Lewis and the risk of having to pay significant
sums under an industrial tribunal meant there was no option available to dismiss him for capability reasons.
In the report, the auditors make recommendations for the council to improve their management and appraisal processes.
A council spokesman said: 'We welcome this report and we have taken all the recommendations on board.' | 
