A senior worker at cash-strapped Walsall Council has been suspended on full pay for 16 months, it has emerged.

It is understood taxpayers have also been footing a hefty bill for stand-in management while the employee, described as a principal youth officer, is off.

Walsall Council today refused to reveal how much had been paid out to the member of staff, or reveal the reasons for the suspension. Shadow borough leader, Councillor Tim Oliver, said he was concerned about the revelation in light of the council’s current financial state.

He said: “We would have to question the inordinate length of time it appears to have taken to resolve this latest case”.

“It has to be put into the context of a council which tells us it is heading for a £5million deficit this year and yet has just refurbished the council meeting chamber at a cost of over £50,000 to include elaborate video screens and video links.”

The authority is looking to save more than £13 million this financial year and is also facing an overspend of more than £5 million.

More than 470 full-time jobs have been shed at the council over the last year in a bid to save cash, while plans are also afoot to reduce library opening hours.

Walsall’s famous illuminations has also been scrapped for the next three years and a children’s home closed.

Sunday parking charges have also been introduced and meals on wheels charges increased.

Walsall Council spokeswoman Natalie Greenway refused to answer the Express & Star’s questions concerning the suspension of the worker.

“We have a duty of confidentiality to employees so we cannot answer specific questions relating to an individual,” she said.

“Further investigation is always necessary when employees are suspended.

“Normally suspension rarely lasts more than a few weeks however, in some cases a longer suspension may prove necessary due to the complex nature of the matter.”