Children's boss was highest-paid at council - report

Former director of children's services Darryl Freeman left the council last year

A former head of children's services who resigned a year ago was the year's highest-paid public official in the West Midlands, figures have shown.

The Town Hall Rich List 2025, published by the TaxPayers' Alliance, states Herefordshire Council's corporate director for children and young people was the highest-paid council employee in the region in 2023-24, earning £264,000.

The position was then held by Darryl Freeman, on a published salary of £139,465 – just over half the figure he was paid. He is not named in the report.

A council spokesman said the higher figure "comprises salary, payments for ending employment such as notice and holiday pay and pension contributions".

The spokesman added: "We do not comment on the detail of these, as they are an individual, personal matter."

Mr Freeman joined the council in September 2021, overseeing what the council called "much-needed improvements" following a negative court judgement on the department and critical evaluations by inspectors.

The council announced Mr Freeman's departure in March last year.

It coincided with the publication of an Ofsted report which found "plans to improve services have not led to sufficient positive impact" - specifically for older children and those who have left the care of the service.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.