Almost 30 workers in a Kent district have been gagged in five years, Kentonline has learned.

Gagging orders, better known as compromise agreements, are usually struck up when an employee leaves facing redundancy or workplace issues.

Under the agreement an employer asks the employee to sign on the line in return for a pay off, to stifle public discourse.

In the past five years 28 district council workers have been paid for silence, as part of exit packages.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) is yet to disclose the amount of each order.

However in financial year 2015/16 the authority paid out £609,000 in exit packages, and in 2016/17 a total of £287,000 was stumped up.

Independent district councillor Susie Govett said gagging orders can often help to protect some ex-staff.

But the independent councillor took aim at the authority over perceived lack of transparency and accountability.

“The fact these figures aren’t published pro-actively by the council is an issue. We hear the council talking about accountability and transparency but they are just words.

“I understand gagging orders being used by public firms. But when you hear figures like this you can’t blame the public for not trusting the council when it is the taxpayer’s money being used.

“There is a clear lack of transparency,” she said.

Gagging orders are largely seen as controversial because under the Public Interest Disclosure act - whistleblowers are supposed to be protected.

However, many believe that gagging orders have a deterrent effect.

The orders recently stirred up controversy earlier this year after the infamous President Club dinner.

A total of 130 waitresses were forced to sign a gagging order, fuelling a probe into potential criminal actions and a debate over women's rights.

Chris Deane, Folkestone and Hythe Labour chair joined the call for transparency.

“We’re opposed to them because they lack transparency and are often to the benefit of the company rather than an individual.

“Most of the issues that lead to gagging orders should be resolved by the channels already set up, not by being paid for by silence.”

Individuals who request the orders for their own safety – to ensure privacy in sexual harassment cases for example – should be the exception, he added.

FHDC refused to disclose how many women have signed gagging orders to silence claims over sexual harassment.

But a spokesman said all factors are taken into account when gagging a member of staff.

“A settlement agreement is a legally binding agreement between an employer and employee used to set out the mutually agreed terms and conditions reached when a contract of employment is to be terminated or a dispute is to be resolved.

“They are normally used where the employee and employer agree that the employment relationship can no longer proceed and must be brought to an end.

“Before any agreement is entered into all factors are considered to ensure this is an appropriate option for all parties. They are entirely voluntary,” they said.

2013 - 1 gagging order

2014 - 1 gagging order

2015 - 7 gagging orders

2016 - 13 gagging orders

2017 - 6 gagging orders