councillor Tag

Colchester Council is told: Hand over Vaf info – or else

COLCHESTER Council has been ordered – on pain of prosecution – to release secret papers about the building of the town’s controversial new arts facility. The Government’s official information watchdog has severely criticised the council for trying to keep private information about the unfinished and hugely over-budget Visual Arts Facility. An investigation by the Information [...]

Data snoop claim probe is launched by Plymouth council

AN URGENT investigation has been launched by Plymouth City Council’s leader after reports staff may have snooped on taxpayers’ private details. Councillor Vivien Pengelly has ordered the probe after Plymouth was named as one of number of authorities where council staff were suspected of illegally accessing a private tax and benefits database. Reports have suggested [...]

Councillors ‘Misled’ Over Bypass Decision

Burton and Dalby Parish Council used a Freedom of Information request for details used to inform borough councillors on whether to choose the north or south option for the first part of a bypass. Melton Council opted for the northern route which will be funded by 1,000 homes. But in a letter to Lynn Aisbett, [...]

Corruption Probe Councillor Steps Down From Planning Role

A COUNCILLOR at the centre of a planning corruption probe by police has resigned from several positions he held at the local authority. Action to Save St John’s Hospital Councillor Gordon Beurskens, (47), and his business associate Peter McMahon, (60), were charged last week with alleged offences under the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act. Both [...]

Council Officers Launch Tory Candidate Complaints

Council bosses are investigating a string of sleaze and bad behaviour allegations against four top Tory councillors. KentOnline can reveal the four are facing separate accusations of bullying, kerb-crawling and disreputable behaviour in Medway. A parish councillor in Allhallows has also been accused of illegally witholding information from the public and being rude to one [...]

Taxi Firm Wins Bus Stop Battle With Council

Bournemouth firm, United Taxis, have gained an exemption from Bournemouth Council to allow taxi fares to be picked and dropped off at bus stops without receiving penalties. After drivers were photographed by the Council camera and fined, United Taxis decided to tackle the Council on the matter. Mr Derek Heritage stated that taxi drivers tried [...]

Police investigate Council over insurance fraud allegations

Police Officers from Accrington’s Criminal Investigation Department are investigating allegations concerning insurance fraud involving Hyndburn Borough Council. Following an internal Council investigation where the Council “found no evidence of fraud”, police are now investigating allegations of unaccounted funding of the refurbishment of a coach house in Oakhill Park that was severely damaged by fire in [...]

Complaints made about Councillor’s conduct

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Chief Executive, Mr Tony Curtis, accused the borough’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor Philip Heath, of failing to treat his staff with respect following Councillor Heath’s criticism of the manner in which Council staff responded to the recent cold weather. The Council’s Monitoring Officer is in receipt of Mr Curtis’ complaint and [...]

Councillor may face Standards Board investigation

Following his decision to close an emergency meeting within 3 minutes of it starting and without considering the agenda, Councillor Nicholas Turner, Chairman of Tendring District Council, may face a Standards Board for England investigation into his actions. The meeting held on 17 September 2009 included a motion to remove him and the Conservative Group [...]

Council rapped by Ombudsman for failing the disabled

Chorley Council, along with seven other Councils across the UK, have found been guilty of maladministration after scrapping, without consultation, a concessionary 50p bus fare for disabled individuals during peak times. The Ombudsman found that the Council had failed to uphold their own disability equality schemes and consequently caused injustice to two complainants and were ordered [...]