Possible deal for Pembs chief Bryn Parry-Jones

Bryn Parry-Jones currently remains in his post as chief executive

Pembrokeshire council's chief executive could be offered a severance deal, BBC Wales understands.

A member of the council's Disciplinary Investigation Committee says they will consider the proposal for Bryn Parry-Jones on 16 October.

It follows a row over cash payments in lieu of pension contributions to him which the Wales Audit Office said was unlawful.

Pembrokeshire council has refused to comment.

Councillors in the committee also voted for his conduct to be independently investigated, according to member Paul Miller.

He told BBC Wales the discussion over a severance package "should be held in public gaze".

He added the vote on Monday to probe Mr Parry-Jones' conduct was passed by seven votes to six.

Bryn Parry Jones has previously been urged to resign

A spokesman for the council said: "The disciplinary committee has not completed its activities, we are unable to comment."

The committee, which is politically balanced, was set up following a vote of no confidence in Mr Parry-Jones last month, which saw 46 councillors against him, with three supporting him and three abstentions.

The panel has the power to suspend the chief executive while alleged misconduct is investigated.

Mr Parry-Jones has been under pressure to resign after it emerged he received cash payments in lieu of pension contributions for tax purposes - a decision ruled "unlawful" by the Wales Audit Office.

In July, Pembrokeshire council said it would take no further action to reclaim the money from him and another unnamed senior officer involved in a similar arrangement.

He took a "leave of absence" in August, but it has since emerged that part of it coincided with his annual leave.

An investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary relating to the cash payments issue found no evidence to suggest any criminal offences, but another police inquiry has since been launched following the discovery of new information.