Former CEO of broke Brum council received £130k 'compensation'

JUST SHY OF £500K PAID TO CHIEF DURING YEAR SHE QUIT AUTHORITY

- JANE HAYNES News Reporter

THE former chief executive of Birmingham City Council, Deborah Cadman, received just shy of £500,000 during the year she quit the beleaguered authority amid its chaotic bankruptcy.

Belatedly-published council accounts for the year 2023-2024 revealed Ms Cadman was “compensated for loss of office” to the tune of £130,194 as part of a departure package, on top of a salary of £269,750 and pension contributions of £68,961.

The accounts also showed she had received a £25,000 pay rise at the start of 2023, weeks before the council's financial implosion.

At the time of her departure the council said she had not received a 'golden handshake' or settlement payment beyond her salary entitlements.

The council this week published its amended accounts for 2021-22 and overdue accounts for 2022-23 and 2023-24, alongside its accounts for the 12 months to April 2025.

They came with a strong caveat that they remained “draft” as their accuracy could not be guaranteed because the council's financial records were sullied by the catastrophic failures of the Oracle system.

They were issued by Carol Culley, the new executive director of finance and the responsible S151 officer, a status with legal responsibility for the council's finances.

Cadman’s departure in March 2024 was described at the time as a resignation. The council was under the oversight of government-appointed commissioners, led by Max Caller, who had responsibility for hiring and firing senior officers.