Suspended director lands top job at nearby council

John Hobbs is now a director at Herefordshire Council

A former Worcestershire County Council director who was suspended on full pay earlier this year has been appointed to a senior role at a neighbouring authority.

John Hobbs, who was put on gardening leave in May, has been named Herefordshire Council's new corporate director for economy and environment and said he was "thrilled" to be taking up the post on 27 October.

In August the BBC revealed he was still being paid his £147,997 salary while he was suspended over a row about a plan to fire and rehire up to 143 council employees.

Worcestershire County Council said it would "not comment on individual staffing matters".

In a statement announcing his appointment, Herefordshire Council, however, said Mr Hobbs brought "a wealth of experience in infrastructure, economic development and public service leadership".

Mr Hobbs will oversee areas including economic growth, regeneration projects such as the Hereford bypass and Shire Hall restoration, and the council's environmental and public realm services.

Mr Hobbs was one of the 143 Worcestershire County Council employees affected by a controversial decision to dismiss people from their 37-hour-a-week contracts, and rehire them on 35-hour contracts, amounting to a 5% pay cut.

The BBC understands that Mr Hobbs questioned the legality of the policy, resulting in a special appointments panel having to look at his case.