A DECISION to pay more than £360,000 into the pension fund of a senior East Riding Council director taking early retirement is set to be reviewed.

The move to agree corporate director Sue Lockwood's early retirement together with the payout was taken by the authority's cabinet in a behind-closed-doors session on Tuesday.

However, five opposition councillors have now signed an official call-in request to get the decision reviewed.

It means the issue will now go before a council scrutiny committee.

Although scrutiny committees cannot reverse cabinet decisions they can ask cabinet members to reconsider their position.

The Mail also understands some members of the ruling Conservative group at County Hall had been considering breaking ranks to submit their own call-in request.

They remain unhappy over the way the issue has been handled by the group's leadership.

One well-placed Tory source told the Mail: "This is not going to go away in a hurry.

"A lot of people are feeling very angry about what has happened."

The Mail understands 55-year-old Ms Lockwood's departure is being classed as a discretionary employer consent early retirement rather than one involving health issues, although she is currently on sick leave.

Her post is expected to be advertised shortly with a similar salary package.

She is the third senior East Riding officer to have been granted discretionary early retirement after receiving large salary increases in late 2008.