Chief Executive who resisted calls to resign after Oxford's child exploitation scandal given £600,000 payoff

The Chief Executive of Oxfordshire County Council - who resisted calls to resign in the wake of a child exploitation scandal - is walking away from the job with a payoff worth almost six hundred thousand pounds.

Joanna Simons is stepping down - and her position is being scrapped to save money.

The council says it's axing her role as part of efforts to save 20 million pounds from this year's budget. Last year, it announced 64 million pounds of savings.

Adult social care faces cutbacks of 9.8 million - a decision criticised by disability groups, including Mencap. Children's centres could merge. There are also cuts in road maintenance.

Councillors say further reductions from Government - after the General Election - could lead to even more cuts.