THE COST of paying off staff at Thurrock Council has topped £1 million for the second year in a row.

Four council officers have also walked away with a bumper pay-out of £600,000 between them.

The details were published as part of the council’s annual accounts report.

In 2011-12 there were 108 “exit packages” totalling £1.5 million. 87 of them cost in the region of £0 to £20,000.

In 2012-13 there were 23 “exit packages” totalling £1.1 million. However, four packages alone cost a total of £603, 671.

Full details of the 130 page report can be found on the Thurrock Council website.

Conservative sources have told YT that they intend to ask a number of questions regarding the report once they have fully inspected the accounts.