Medway Council has been accused of failing to make “tough decisions” after spending nearly £600,000 on paying suspended employees over five financial years.

A Freedom of Information request from the Local Democracy Reporter Service revealed £592,055.78 was allocated to 51 members of staff suspended on full pay between 2012/13 and 2016/17 for alleged breaches of the “council code of conduct”.

Following investigation, 15 employees were dismissed, while eight had no case to answer.

A further 14 resigned, nine received final written warnings, four signed settlement agreements, and one was informally reprimanded.

The longest suspension was 321 working days – amounting to £54,321 – which eventually led to the member of staff’s dismissal.

James Price is a campaign manager at the TaxPayers’ Alliance.

He said: “It’s completely unacceptable for councils to use taxpayers’ money to pay for their inability to make tough decisions.

“It is better for all concerned if staff matters are dealt with in a timely fashion, and residents should certainly not be fleeced by the council like this.

“It is especially unfair when council taxes are going up every single year and services are being cut.”

The number of council employees suspended on full pay has fallen every year since 2012/13, with the figure standing at just four in 2016/17 – although this still cost residents £94,955.56.

Medway Council defended the expense, adding the number of employees – which includes school staff and social workers – suspended on full pay is a “small minority” of its 5,100-strong workforce.

Carrie McKenzie, assistant director of transformation, said: “The council takes matters around professionalism very seriously and will carefully review any formal complaint made against an employee.

“Complaints raised against staff working in safeguarding roles are thoroughly investigated and normally requires employees to be suspended. The number of staff suspended on full pay has reduced over the years.

“The council recognises the importance of thoroughly reviewing each case and the length of reviews vary depending on the circumstances – some of the longer reviews have involved external agencies.

“Staff who are suspended continue to receive their normal pay while the matter is investigated, with a number of outcomes not requiring formal action.”