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BBC News
01-08-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Worcestershire County Council director suspended following pay row
A senior Worcestershire County Council director has been suspended on full pay - following a dispute over a controversial fire and rehire tactic. Director of economy and infrastructure John Hobbs was placed on gardening leave in early May. The BBC understands Mr Hobbs is still being paid his £147,997 salary since the suspension four months ago, but the authority has refused to leader of the council's Labour group, Richard Udall, said: "The public have a right to know why a senior member of staff has not been at their desk for several months. " Mr Hobbs was one of the employees impacted by a controversial decision to fire and rehire up to 143 workers last October. At the time, bosses wanted to dismiss people from their 37-hours-a-week contracts, and rehire them on 35-hour contracts, amounting to a 5% pay cut. The BBC understands that Mr Hobbs questioned the legality of the policy, resulting in a special appointments panel having to look at his case. 'Concern over reputational harm' Udall said: "I have written to the chief executive, and he's replied saying he can't give me any information on what has happened, as it relates to a member of staff. "I've said that unless I get more details, I will be tabling a question at the next full council meeting in September. "The council cannot hide behind confidentiality - my concern is that it could cause serious reputational harm to the council. "I have always valued John's judgement and advice - we need to know if he is leaving our employment or if he will be returning."Mr Hobbs joined the council in 2006, and has had influence over some of the county's biggest regeneration projects, like The Hive in Worcester and the Worcester Six business park. A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: "To respect the privacy of employees, and to maintain integrity, the council does not comment on individual staffing matters." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Walsall Council opposition leader calls for review of authority's culture
Walsall Council's opposition leader has called for an investigation into the "conduct and culture" of elected members at the authority following the resignation of its leader last leader Garry Perry resigned on 21 May, stating that he had been subject to a "campaign of political attrition, deliberate undermining, and personal hostility".Leader of the Labour group Matt Ward had written to the council's chief executive, Emma Bennett, demanding a review into the allegations.A spokesperson for Walsall Council said: "No specific complaint has been received by the council from anyone to investigate." Ward said: "Councillor Perry described a toxic environment marked by political hostility, sustained personal undermining, and behaviour that he said prioritised internal self-interest over the needs of the borough."These are serious and credible concerns that, while directed at some elected members, reflect poorly on the institution if not addressed transparently and with urgency."I also request confirmation that the planning peer review report will be released publicly, and that the council commissions a peer review into licensing. I believe a formal review would now be both timely and necessary."These actions are needed to restore confidence, ensure accountability, and reaffirm that this council operates with integrity at every level."The council did not comment on the planning or licensing peer reviews.A spokesperson for the authority said: "The council takes concerns about bullying very seriously. "No specific complaint has been received by the council from anyone to investigate."The council has a robust process to investigate all issues and complaints that are raised through our formal processes." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Herald Scotland
14-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
I'm not sure Edinburgh Council's big problem is too many Xmas parties
But in a 30-page report at the end of which Mr Dunion makes 15 recommendations, the last has attracted much attention, for the council to 'consider the appropriateness of social events and hospitality arrangements'. Before anyone gets the impression that Edinburgh's City Chambers is awash with Bacchanalian excess, in my five years I never witnessed anything remotely untoward. Read more Maybe I just wasn't invited to the hottest events, but my recollection, primarily of Conservative Group Christmas receptions, was of a few glasses of wine and supermarket nibbles ─ funded by us from our group subscriptions ─ and everyone mucking in to clear away in very good time to repair to a nearby boozer where it was someone else's turn to serve the drinks. The Labour Group bash did have disco music and lights, but I didn't stay long in case I cramped their style. I was either unaware or not bothered if the SNP, Lib Dems or Greens threw parties, swell or otherwise. But it seems the festive gatherings were too much for some who spoke to Mr Dunion, either that or he just didn't like the principle, but that wasn't the reason he was called in. Of the other 14 recommendations in this keenly anticipated report to next Thursday's full council meeting, 12 involve a review of existing whistleblowing and complaints procedures, to consider a tweak here or a twiddle there. Better record keeping, clear routes of complaint, better HR support for staff, and that kind of thing. There is a clear risk Mr Dunion will be accused of producing another whitewash, but although he did not have compelling authority, resources or time to dig deeper into the allegations, there is still plenty to make uncomfortable reading for some. First, reading between the lines, I believe there is a strong inference that if the harassment allegations against Cllr Day had been substantiated - which they were not - they would at the very least have represented inappropriate behaviour for someone holding a prominent public role. 'Councillors are personally responsible for their own behaviour and for ensuring they meet the expectations of those holding office,' he wrote. 'It is not just about obeying but reflecting on how their behaviour may be regarded.' Quite. Cammy Day outside the City Chambers (Image: free) Second, the 'neither confirm nor deny' response from Susanne Tanner KC, to the direct question of whether she had been made aware of previous allegations against Cllr Day during her 2021 examination of the council's whistleblowing culture, was rather undermined by former Education, Children and Families Vice-Convener Alison Dickie confirming she submitted a dossier of safeguarding allegations, including Cllr Day, to the Tanner Review team, and raised it with her in a subsequent meeting. Strangely, I recall Ms Tanner was not so reticent in answering direct questions from Councillor Day about councillors' alleged behaviour ─ mine, and I was subsequently cleared by the Ethical Standards Commission ─ when presenting her report, but that's another story. However, Mr Dunion's examination reveals that one senior Edinburgh councillor is a copper-bottomed, ocean-going liar who is unfit to hold public office. The councillor cannot be identified because there is no substantiating evidence. They were among those councillors emailed by Chief Executive Paul Lawrence in December last year to inform them about details of properties relating to Cllr Day, and the email contents appeared 'in its entirety' in the Daily Record shortly after. Mr Dunion spoke to them all and each denied being the source. One of them is not telling the truth. 'There are not any proportionate means within the limited capacity of this review to pursue this further,' he said. 'There is no doubt however that this is a deliberate breach of the Councillors Code of Conduct. The almost immediate passing of this to the press, is a betrayal of trust.' I know that if I was one of those who hadn't done the leaking, I'd be concerned someone might think it was me, and they have no way of showing they were not to blame. Read more There are more obvious criticisms, particularly how then council leader Adam Nols-McVey handled allegations by a man who claimed to have been groomed as a 15-year-old in 2010 by an unnamed councillor ─ who Mr Dunion confirms was Cllr Day ─ when he was in care after suffering sexual abuse. The man had emailed Cllr Nols-McVey in 2018, when Cllr Day was his deputy, but Nols-McVey did not inform then Chief Executive Andrew Kerr. He told Mr Dunion he spoke to a police chief superintendent who said nothing could be done without the name of either alleged victim or perpetrator. The email and subsequent messages from the alleged victim could not be traced because, Mr Dunion noted, the complaints were not shared and only retained in recipients' mailboxes. Mr Dunion's conclusion is clear. 'The seriousness of the claim of potentially criminal behaviour by a councillor, who might be the Deputy Leader, is such that the emails should have been shared by the Council Leader with the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer,' he said. 'They would then have been in a position to decide whether to contact the police.' After the 2022 elections, the SNP-Labour coalition ended, and Cllr Nols McVey was replaced by Cllr Day as leader of a minority Labour administration. Mr Dunion doesn't say if that had any bearing on events. But Christmas parties? Forget it. John McLellan is a former Edinburgh Evening News and Scotsman editor. He served as a City of Edinburgh councillor for five years. Brought up in Glasgow, McLellan has lived and worked in Edinburgh for 30 years
BBC News
03-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Worcestershire members too ill to meet should resign says leader
A council leader has been asked to clarify her comments after suggesting councillors who are too ill to attend meetings should UK Councillor Jo Monk made the remarks in her first meeting leading Worcestershire County a debate on using substitutes in scrutiny panel meetings, which is when a member can send someone in their place, Monk said: "I've sat for the last four years witnessing people coming and going when they felt like it."Richard Udall, leader of the council's Labour group, said: "We need to know to whom she was referring and what she intends to do to implement any policy changes." Monk had said: "When you sign up to be a councillor, it's something you should take very seriously and if you sit on more than one panel, you have to ask why – are they going to conflict? And if they do, you shouldn't be sat on all of those panels."If you have health issues that are that serious then perhaps you should resign." Council staff 'worried' Udall said: "I think she was only talking about councillors, which is in itself surprising as she only had a 60% attendance record in the last council due to ill health."He added council staff were now "very worried about what Reform UK in charge may mean to them". In response, Monk said her comments were made "in reference to some councillors who take on paid positions and then consistently and over a long period of time do not attend those meetings due to a number of reasons, one of which being long-term ill-health".She said they had not been aimed at those who missed "the odd meeting".Any effort to link her comments to council staff was "scaremongering", she said. The council's website states councillors are not paid a salary, but do receive allowances for time and expenses involved in carrying out duties. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Glasgow Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow former Labour deputy on bowing out of leadership contest
Councillor Rashid Hussain has been elected as the party's new leader while Councillor John Carson was chosen as deputy – replacing Bailie Siddique at an AGM on Tuesday. Southside Central councillor Siddique said she bowed out of the contest due to additional barriers that come with being a Muslim woman in politics. Reacting to the new appointments, Councillor Siddique said: 'Congratulations to the new leadership team. Thank you Labour and Glasgow for trusting me as deputy leader. I've felt the glass ceiling, but I'm still here fighting for real Labour values. READ MORE: Council paying out over £32m per year after equal pay settlement 'To BAME women, you belong in politics.' She told the LDRS: 'I chose not to run for the group leader because being a BAME woman in politics often means navigating unnecessary additional barriers. 'As divisive voices grow louder, I believe more than ever that our politics, especially at the local level, needs strong vocal labour voices. That is exactly what I intend to be. I would like to thank the members of the Labour Group and party who have supported me.' Dr Siddique, who has a PhD in cancer research, said she hopes her presence will encourage another 'hijab wearing female' to enter politics. READ MORE: Glasgow English teacher boasted about the size of his manhood, court hears Explaining more about her background, she said: 'I'm the daughter of migrant parents, raised in a tenement in Anderston and the first in my family to go to university. I never set out to be a career politician but I couldn't stay silent in the face of injustice. Breaking the glass ceiling as a woman of colour has meant facing racism, Islamophobia, and misogyny, not just in society but within the political party system itself. ' She added: 'When I ask why I carry on, it's because I hope another hijab wearing female from a not-so-privileged background will step forward and put her name on the ballot. We can't afford to let politics be dragged backwards by the forces of populist parties, people like me demand a voice in the politics of today.' New deputy leader of the Labour group, Councillor Carson, said: 'I'd like to pay tribute to our outgoing depute leader, Soriya Siddique, who has performed the role with class and dignity over the past three years—particularly while confronting some of the worst prejudices still faced by our BAME communities.' Greater Pollok councillor Hussain was replacing former leader George Redmond, who decided to step aside.
