Tactless council boss signs off redundancy email with boasts about holiday

A council executive has apologised after he wrote an email to staff about plans for dozens of redundancies and went on to boast about his summer holiday plans.

Terry Dunn, head of Wigan Council's environment department, has been dubbed a real-life David Brent after updating his workers with the bad news and then chatting about his upcoming trip to a music festival, his wedding and a holiday to Fuerteventura.

Wigan Today reports that the email read: "We are now consulting on the final stage of our restructure and you may or may not be directly impacted. If you are involved I can fully appreciate the concerns you will have and just ask for your patience...

He added: "On the home front; off to a punk rock festival in Blackpool this Friday. The Damned, Stiff Little Fingers and the Buzzcocks are amongst the acts playing so those old enough may remember them. I am really looking forward to it as it forms a big part of my past.

"Wedding 6 weeks this Saturday followed by 2 weeks in Fuerteventura!! Can't wait."

A Wigan Council spokesperson told Manchester Evening News: "Terry Dunn has been employed by Wigan Council since he was taken on as an apprentice and has worked at virtually every level of the organisation. He has known many of our staff for 20 years.

"These are tough times in local government. We're trying to communicate with employees as best we can while we go through difficult changes.

"Terry meant no harm and is sorry if he's caused offence on this occasion.

"He has an excellent record of handling staffing issues seriously and sensitively."

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