At the initiative of the municipality of Sölvesborg, Sofia Lenninger today formally left her position as head of culture. She goes with 14 monthly salaries in severance pay, a total of SEK 617,000.
But the cost of the municipality of Sölvesborg does not stay there. With employer contributions, pension costs and other fees, the agreement means more than SEK 800,000.
The municipal management's handling of the situation and the cost of the agreement receive criticism from the political opposition.
- It's not good at all and I'm disappointed and saddened. It's about almost a million kronor. We don't have that much tax money here in the municipality so we can waste that way. The money is needed better in school and elderly care, for example, says Ulf Svensson (C), who is a group leader.
How do you think the local government should have handled this instead?
- They could have left her or placed her on some other position but if you feel discouraged as she has done, it is not fun. I myself would not have liked it that way, says Ulf Svensson (C).
Lack of confidenceMunicipal Board Chairman Louise Erixon (SD) does not respond to the criticism, but refers to Lars Ericsson Municipal Manager.
- I do not want to comment on the political plays. But I start with the issue. When you reach a point where there is no confidence in a manager, there is a practice for finding a settlement after negotiation. A solution with a severance pay with this sum is no deviation from practice, says Lars Ericsson.
The criticism is also about the fact that the cultural director should have been left, what do you say about it?
- I do not go into any such discussions. There were things that upset the trust and we reached an agreement to terminate the employment. Unfortunately, I have not seen any other alternatives possible in this situation, says Lars Ericsson.