A SOCIAL media post bidding former Worcestershire County Council chief executive Clare Marchant a ‘fond farewell’ has been slammed by Labour members.

The authority took to Twitter to upload a photo of Ms Marchant marking the occasion of her departure from the £155,000-a-year role on Friday (June 23).

But Stephen Brown, from Wyre Forest Labour, labelled the tweet as inappropriate and criticised her performance in the seven years she spent at Worcestershire, claiming her decisions had had a negative impact on vulnerable residents.

He said: “The manner of Clare Marchant's exit was an unedifying spectacle.

“With the council posting on social media their 'fond farewell' to her from inside their little shindig at County Hall, it seems they have lost control of their collective senses.

“Whoever was responsible for this has forgotten the impact the council’s callous regime has had on the vulnerable with social care in crisis, Children's Services rated inadequate, 1500 jobs slashed, the Babcock fiasco, payroll cock-up, and a PFI Hartlebury incinerator that will saddle local taxpayers with decades of debt topping £1billion.

“For those detrimentally affected, 'good riddance' might be more appropriate because I doubt any of those who've suffered at the hands of this Tory agent of austerity will think a 'fond farewell is.”

A Worcestershire County Council spokesman said: "Clare Marchant joined Worcestershire County Council seven years ago and has been chief executive since 2014.

"In her last week in the role, she invited colleagues to join her for tea and cakes to say thank you and good bye. All of the costs of the event were paid for by Ms Marchant.”