Councillors row over 'meeting' with suspended planning officer
A SENIOR Conservative councillor has admitted meeting a planning officer who was suspended as part of a fraud investigation.
Adam Duguid, deputy leader of West Lindsey District Council, said the meeting was not planned and that he was "ambushed" by the officer – but confirmed he did speak to him.
The staff member was suspended as part of an on-going inquiry into fraud and mismanagement allegations made against the authority's planning department.
Cllr Duguid made the revelation during a tense two-hour council meeting, which saw the Tories defeated in their attempts to push ahead with the authority's investigation of the allegations.
Council leader Bernard Theobald declared that a committee of councillors formed to examine the issue was "dead in the water", after a motion to expand it was rejected by 14 votes to 12, with two abstentions.
Liberal Democrat leader Reg Shore asked Cllr Duguid at the meeting on Tuesday night whether he could confirm rumours of senior council members meeting with the suspended officer.
Cllr Duguid said: "I did meet a suspended member of council. However, I did not solicit that meeting and it was unavoidable. I declared that meeting to officers at the earliest opportunity."
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Theobald refused to be drawn on whether he was also present at a meeting with the suspended officer.
The Tory leader also said he was disappointed that the opposition group would not allow the investigations committee, which included Cllr Duguid, to expand from five members to eight.
The increase was proposed after the Liberal Democrats refused to provide two members until the independent Audit Commission has completed its review on governance at the authority.
As reported in the Echo, the opposition group believed the Tories were trying to internalise the process by creating this committee.
Cllr Theobald told the Echo the allegations needed investigating to answer public concerns and accused the opposition of a cover-up.
"I am not sure why the Liberal Democrats don't want the matters investigated," he said.
"Losing the vote does not question my authority but does question whether the Liberal Democrats should be in the authority. They are acting in other interests. The taxpayer has a right to know what is happening."
Cllr Shore said there was "no chance" of a cover-up from his party.
9 Comments
by P.Liever, Lincolnshire
Thursday, November 19 2009, 2:46PM
“Having seen the Tories and Labour on tv, listening to debates in Parliament, and what should or not should be done, is taking the mickey out of the electorate and those who are likely to vote. Very little choice who to believe!
But will the British people be that gullible to vote for either these two main political parties?
What is the bet that the Tories will win the next general election with a low turn out of voters?
Corruption and deceit is ripe at Parliament level, at County Council level, and at local authority level.
I am beginning to wonder who cares anymore when these two parties rule and run most things in the UK, for people are likely to keep either in power on what they can get out of them, even when money takes precedence or just plain greed!”
by Emma, Lincoln
Thursday, November 19 2009, 2:15PM
“"Having attended planning meetings at City Hall, councillors are supposed to cast their vote as individuals.
However, the Conservatives appear to vote on block..."
Yes, as do the Labour councillors. It's right there in the minutes published on the council's website - every vote is split down the party line.
If you want independent thinking, vote for an independent councillor and let's remove the stranglehold that Labour and Tory have over local politics. It's obvious the best these swivel-eyed clowns can do is play "my gang vs your gang" and thus they have no business being there.”
by John, Lincolnshire
Thursday, November 19 2009, 1:42PM
“Having attended planning meetings at City Hall, councillors are supposed to cast their vote as individuals.
However, the Conservatives appear to vote on block when party politics come first before people or important issues such as the selling off land that they own if money is scarce which includes the family silver.”
by Mel, Dunholme
Thursday, November 19 2009, 11:25AM
“"Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Theobald refused to be drawn on whether he was also present at a meeting with the suspended officer."
Curiouser and curiouser. If he wasn't present at the meeting, surely he'd just say so?”
by Emma, Lincoln
Thursday, November 19 2009, 11:08AM
“I sometimes think Mr Sneer might be my brother, but if he is he never admits it ;-)”
by Mel, Dunholme
Thursday, November 19 2009, 11:04AM
“As Cllr Leaning said at last night's meeting, West Lindsey DC is in crisis over this issue.
And rightly so, given the serious problems in the Planning Department, which anyone who has had dealings with it in recent years knows only too well.
The Echo could usefully carry out some investigative journalism into these issues, just as it did so well prior to Jim Speechley being jailed after being found guilty of misconduct in public office whilst a Lincolnshire County Councillor.
For anyone interested, the matter is being investigated by Tim Watkinson, District Auditor, and he can be contacted at the Audit Commission on 0207 828 1212. He's interested in receiving any information from the public which might help the enquiry.”
by W.Wilkins, Lincoln
Thursday, November 19 2009, 9:49AM
“WOW! Emma, twice in one day i agree with you.
Infact, i could not have put that better myself!
Excellent, just Excellent.
No relation to Mr Sneers are you?”
by Emma, Lincoln
Thursday, November 19 2009, 9:25AM
“This is just typical of the sort of corruption one can expect if we sleepwalk into another Tory government. "Ooh, we've done wrong, but don't worry, we'll investigate it ourselves. Nothing to see here, move along!"
Labour, Conservative: vermin, the lot of them.”
by W.Wilkins, Lincoln
Thursday, November 19 2009, 8:39AM
“Emmm, I believe you,
Millions wouldn't though!
God ! Who do some people think they are kidding.”