- Mobile site
- E-Newsletters
-
- News feed
- Find us on Twitter
@WIRRALGLOBENEWS
All the latest news and views from the Wirral Globe
- Find us on Facebook
Wirral Globe
Like us on Facebook
A free holiday, golf, and trips to Old Trafford - all in a day's work for some Wirral Council officers (From Wirral Globe)
Send us news by text, start your message Globe News and your send photos and videos to 80360
A free holiday, golf, and trips to Old Trafford - all in a day's work for some Wirral Council officers
11:40am Thursday 20th September 2012 in News By Stephanie Cureton
Nice work if you can get it
COUNCIL officers failing to record free gifts in the right way will damage the authority’s reputation, according to a senior councillor.
Freebies including theatre trips, Chester races tickets a flight, golf and a holiday – worth £2,000 - were among those highlighted by the District Auditor.
The watchdog's report, which went before a council audit committee on Wednesday night, criticised officers for not properly declaring gifts and hospitality offered to them.
The document does not name individual officers nor does it reveal where the generous donations came from.
However, it highlighted there had been a “high incidence of non-compliance with procedures and incomplete records,” and the department of adult social services was singled out as having no register for gifts and hospitality.
The department was given a rating of ‘one star,’ meaning the current system is in “urgent need of improvement.”
Wirral Council chief executive Graham Burgess said he would be looking at each officer’s case individually.
He told the Globe: “We agreed with the auditor that the report should be published in full and that we would be open and transparent about the officers not following the correct procedures.
“I have asked to look at each individual case from the report.
“But a number of the cases do not cause me concern as the officers were meeting key people investing in Wirral or building relationships.
"I understand that the findings could be seen in a negative way - but a key issue is that it could bring a benefit to Wirral and officers were carrying out additional work in their own time.”
The auditor recommended that all staff and managers were reminded of the correct procedures and guidelines when accepting and recording freebies.
However Labour councillor Steve Foulkes said the report would do little to help the authority’s already struggling reputation.
He said: “It’s a wake-up call for everyone and there is an important lesson to be learned. However, some of the things don’t read well and it doesn’t sound good.
“This will do our reputation damage and we need to tackle it head on and make sure everyone is 100% clear about what they do in those difficult situations.”
During the meeting, Tory councillor Leah Fraser also expressed her dismay at council workers not being able to accept small tokens of appreciation such as chocolates.
She said: “I was shocked to find that if officers or receptionists receive a box of chocolates for Christmas, they cannot keep them. Instead, they have to give them to the mayor’s charity.”
Officers are advised to refuse any personal gift from anyone who has, or potentially have, dealings with the council and should report the offer to their chief officer.
However the guidelines stipulate senior officers may accept hospitality if it falls in-line with carrying out their duties to the council and if the details are recorded as soon as possible.
But the report found that some entries onto the record had been signed by the officers themselves or their deputies, whereas some had not been signed off at all.
Out of 13 files assessed by the District Auditor, nine did not comply with procedures and “there was generally insufficient information to assess whether gifts and hospitality had been considered in line with guidance.”
Other instances included an honorary membership to West Kirby Sailing Club – thought to be worth more than £200 per year – and a ticket to a European Cup match at Old Trafford.
A senior officer accepted a number of instances of hospitality including golf, a flight, accommodation and meals amounting to £2,000.
Procedures were not complied with and there was insufficient information to tell whether the hospitality was considered in line with guidance.
Comments(46)
bigfoot
says...
11:58am Thu 20 Sep 12
So it seems the senior officers were on the take from everywhere especially the service users!
Drag them back in to account for their actions.
Will this be published in a Cheshire paper or will the remaining sniffling toadies in the Dept tell them,as is their want.
Mrs WFL
says...
12:39pm Thu 20 Sep 12
Any gifts that are handed in at reception for people are kept and a raffle is held with monies going to the Mayor Charity fund.
The identity of the officers should be published and dismissed for gross misconduct.
As these have actually been recorded, what gifts haven't?
woodyres2
says...
1:09pm Thu 20 Sep 12
Let's see if this report is published ... unlike the AKA report.
Name and shame everyone involved, this is especially shocking following the "freezing" of the community fund last week.
WirralAl
says...
2:00pm Thu 20 Sep 12
Greedy and overpaid. All gifts and bungs should now be published so we can see who has been awarding contacts based on corporate greed and selfishness.
Still waiting to be asked how WBC should save money!!!!
mb2496
says...
2:11pm Thu 20 Sep 12
Were these items declared? YES
Has it cost Wirral taxpayers any money? NO
It's a shame you don't report on actual news stories occuring around Wirral, rather than taking the lazy option of re-publishing and sensationalising Council reports... which are all available to us taxpayers anyway, if you're interested!
I am as interested as the next person in the goings on of Wirral Council, but I go to their website where you can find reports, minutes, agendas, etc.
If Globe readers want to know what's happening or want answers, why not contact the Council directly rather than moaning on the Wirral Globule's website!!
Ben Beaconsfield
says...
2:24pm Thu 20 Sep 12
THERE SHOULD BE NO GIFTS OR HOSPITALITY FOR ANY WIRRAL COUNCIL EMPLOYEE OR ELECTED COUNCILLOR, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHATSOEVER.
In that way, there would be no need to have a register of such offerings, incomplete or otherwise.
And if council employees and councillors don't like this suggestion - well, nobody is forcing them to stay with Wirral or remain on the Council, are they?
PaulCa
says...
2:24pm Thu 20 Sep 12
mb2496 wrote:Here's a blog, non-sensationalised, sometimes with a satirical edge, which talks of an #FoI request, lodged with Wirral Council way back in June 2011, 15 months ago, enquiring about a "Register for Senior Officers' Interests".
The reporters and editor of The Wirral Globe need to have a reality check... you are NOT The Daily Mail or The Sun, as much as you want to be. Every story you publish is sensationalised to a ridiculous level.
Were these items declared? YES
Has it cost Wirral taxpayers any money? NO
It's a shame you don't report on actual news stories occuring around Wirral, rather than taking the lazy option of re-publishing and sensationalising Council reports... which are all available to us taxpayers anyway, if you're interested!
I am as interested as the next person in the goings on of Wirral Council, but I go to their website where you can find reports, minutes, agendas, etc.
If Globe readers want to know what's happening or want answers, why not contact the Council directly rather than moaning on the Wirral Globule's website!!
As you will read, the Council made an absolute dogs' breakfast of their response. Well... what would you expect of an abusive organisation where an independent investigator found "the abnormal had become normal", along with cataclysmic failings in corporate governance?
http://tinyurl.com/9
nr9ogp
The issue has been to appeal at the Information Commissioner's Office and the Decision Notice is reproduced here, listing the background to and consequences of Wirral Council's multiple breaches of Statutory Law.
Before defending the organisation again, read, inwardly digest and take onboard some much-needed enlightenment.
PaulCa
says...
2:34pm Thu 20 Sep 12
PaulCa wrote:Link to the Audit Commission report here:
mb2496 wrote:Here's a blog, non-sensationalised, sometimes with a satirical edge, which talks of an #FoI request, lodged with Wirral Council way back in June 2011, 15 months ago, enquiring about a "Register for Senior Officers' Interests".
The reporters and editor of The Wirral Globe need to have a reality check... you are NOT The Daily Mail or The Sun, as much as you want to be. Every story you publish is sensationalised to a ridiculous level.
Were these items declared? YES
Has it cost Wirral taxpayers any money? NO
It's a shame you don't report on actual news stories occuring around Wirral, rather than taking the lazy option of re-publishing and sensationalising Council reports... which are all available to us taxpayers anyway, if you're interested!
I am as interested as the next person in the goings on of Wirral Council, but I go to their website where you can find reports, minutes, agendas, etc.
If Globe readers want to know what's happening or want answers, why not contact the Council directly rather than moaning on the Wirral Globule's website!!
As you will read, the Council made an absolute dogs' breakfast of their response. Well... what would you expect of an abusive organisation where an independent investigator found "the abnormal had become normal", along with cataclysmic failings in corporate governance?
http://tinyurl.com/9
nr9ogp
The issue has been to appeal at the Information Commissioner's Office and the Decision Notice is reproduced here, listing the background to and consequences of Wirral Council's multiple breaches of Statutory Law.
Before defending the organisation again, read, inwardly digest and take onboard some much-needed enlightenment.
http://tinyurl.com/c
4ydquf
Note. The Audit Commission is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act and does not have to respond to any of your requests.
Imagine the stink created up and down the land if it were. Nice strategic move / democratic deficit installed by some anonymous, unelected 'pillar' of the UK establishment !
johnhardaker
says...
2:37pm Thu 20 Sep 12
uncatom
says...
3:33pm Thu 20 Sep 12
ordinary personn
says...
3:43pm Thu 20 Sep 12
“But a number of the cases do not cause me concern as the officers were meeting key people investing in Wirral or building relationships. I understand that the findings could be seen in a negative way - but a key issue is that it could bring a benefit to Wirral and officers were carrying out additional work in their own time.”
.
What a load of horse manure! The bottom line is that there is such a thing as the bribery act which states that hospitaility must be:
“reasonable, proportionate and appropriate in the circumstances (including with reference to what is normal in the particular industry)”.
.
Now I am certainly not suggesting that there was any bribery but what we need to know is – who provided the hospitality, why they provided it, who took it, why they took it, were they in a position to influence decisions related to the company providing the hospitality and if so what decisions were made. The company providing the hospitality have to record that information by law so it is available.
JADEE1
says...
3:58pm Thu 20 Sep 12
LocaLGovwatcher
says...
4:14pm Thu 20 Sep 12
WirralAl
says...
4:45pm Thu 20 Sep 12
mb2496 wrote:Which part of the council do you work for?
The reporters and editor of The Wirral Globe need to have a reality check... you are NOT The Daily Mail or The Sun, as much as you want to be. Every story you publish is sensationalised to a ridiculous level.
Were these items declared? YES
Has it cost Wirral taxpayers any money? NO
It's a shame you don't report on actual news stories occuring around Wirral, rather than taking the lazy option of re-publishing and sensationalising Council reports... which are all available to us taxpayers anyway, if you're interested!
I am as interested as the next person in the goings on of Wirral Council, but I go to their website where you can find reports, minutes, agendas, etc.
If Globe readers want to know what's happening or want answers, why not contact the Council directly rather than moaning on the Wirral Globule's website!!
Bribes and Bungs for blaggers and liers?
The council hide the figures and lie a lot none of us believe them.
What is gained by these benefits contacts worth millions .
Should not be allowed in any way shape or form. One rule for all.
Stops bad judgements
Ben Beaconsfield
says...
4:56pm Thu 20 Sep 12
montague1
says...
5:19pm Thu 20 Sep 12
Is he/ she not aware these stories are neither sensational, nor are they published to a ridiclous level!
They are just "Normal" stories of further
wrongdoing by some Councillors and have come to be perceived by the electorate as same, old same old corruption perpetrated by the usual suspects!
But for Wirral Globe publishing this kind of information/news, much would remain hidden from public view, which of course would be music to those guilty parties.
Not everyone has access to a computer
and relies on their local paper for local news and the rotten behavior of some needs to be brought to the attention of the public in order to make an informed decision about who they choose when it comes to voting at election time.!
JADEE1
says...
5:50pm Thu 20 Sep 12
montague1
says...
6:08pm Thu 20 Sep 12
ENOUGH IS MORE THAN ENOUGH!!
Positive thinker
says...
6:29pm Thu 20 Sep 12
antisthenes
says...
6:56pm Thu 20 Sep 12
Blackburn council said that Mr Burgess was entertaining “key local and regional partners”.
No doubt that Mr 'Clog and Billycock' Burgess' extensive experience of schmoozing big wigs will equip him with a forensic insight into the self indulgence of his new colleagues.
red devil
says...
8:06pm Thu 20 Sep 12
It must have been illegal
Ben Beaconsfield
says...
6:04am Fri 21 Sep 12
antisthenes wrote:"Poacher turned gamekeeper" ?
From the Daily Telegraph...Graham Burgess of Blackburn with Darwen spent hundreds of pounds on regular lunches at his local pub, the Clog and Billycock.
Blackburn council said that Mr Burgess was entertaining “key local and regional partners”.
No doubt that Mr 'Clog and Billycock' Burgess' extensive experience of schmoozing big wigs will equip him with a forensic insight into the self indulgence of his new colleagues.
Tinkmax12
says...
10:35am Fri 21 Sep 12
LocaLGovwatcher
says...
10:37am Fri 21 Sep 12
The WBC mantra appears to be 'Nothing is too good for Wirral residents, and that's exactly what we'll give them -nothing!'
council officer
says...
8:59pm Fri 21 Sep 12
ordinary personn wrote:Here here, totally agree. You have to look at it in the round and I am convinced it will make uncomfortable reading. If people are found out then sack them for corruption.
The audit office may not have to respond to FOI requests about these “gifts” but surely the council does? I have to say though that I LOLLED and LOLLED at this guff from the new chief exec:
“But a number of the cases do not cause me concern as the officers were meeting key people investing in Wirral or building relationships. I understand that the findings could be seen in a negative way - but a key issue is that it could bring a benefit to Wirral and officers were carrying out additional work in their own time.”
.
What a load of horse manure! The bottom line is that there is such a thing as the bribery act which states that hospitaility must be:
“reasonable, proportionate and appropriate in the circumstances (including with reference to what is normal in the particular industry)”.
.
Now I am certainly not suggesting that there was any bribery but what we need to know is – who provided the hospitality, why they provided it, who took it, why they took it, were they in a position to influence decisions related to the company providing the hospitality and if so what decisions were made. The company providing the hospitality have to record that information by law so it is available.
council officer
says...
9:07pm Fri 21 Sep 12
Positive thinker wrote:maybe you would if you applied for a contract with the council and your living and that of your staff relied upon it. Only to find that despite your organisation being the best candidate, someone else got it because they gave the council officer a little something. Doesn't seem right does it? That's because it's not!
Cant see what all the fuss is about
ordinary personn
says...
3:43pm Sat 22 Sep 12
Now, if David Green failed to declare an interest and was suspended, do we expect to see any action taken against those who failed to properly declare taking freebies, even though there is a clearly laid out procedure that should be followed? Nah – of course we don’t because the new chief exec says about the taking of ,and not properly declaring, freebies - “But a number of the cases do not cause me concern as the officers were meeting key people investing in Wirral or building relationships. I understand that the findings could be seen in a negative way - but a key issue is that it could bring a benefit to Wirral and officers were carrying out additional work in their own time.”
.
So if a relationship between meeting with people from and/or at a golf resort and the proposed golf resort development at Hoylake emerges is that OK?
.
If there is a link between going to Chester races and a supplier of services to the council is that OK?
.
Anybody else spot the contradiction here?
.
Mind you I blinking well hope they were: playing golf, taking accomodation, flying to wherever, watching a European football match, sailing at West Kirby, eating, and going to the theatre in their own time. If they were getting paid by us for having a jolly that really would add insult to injury!
PaulCa
says...
4:27pm Sat 22 Sep 12
Has he touched base with local UNISON reps yet? In times gone by, he would have been the 'junior partner' in such an arrangement; keeping the other end up..... trailing around the golf course, sniffing around management's hind quarters, selecting clubs, polishing their balls and discussing "problem people" as a full time rep.
But now the shoe's on the other foot and its his own interests that need 'servicing' by the paid up, compromised, spy-in-the-camp UNISON lackeys & sycophants.
Let's hope he can deliver.
EddieGremlin
says...
6:46pm Sat 22 Sep 12
MX
says...
9:32pm Sat 22 Sep 12
bickyboy
says...
9:34pm Sat 22 Sep 12
Come on, Cllr. Courageous, we know you're out there somewhere....
bickyboy
says...
9:35pm Sat 22 Sep 12
Ben Beaconsfield
says...
8:00am Sun 23 Sep 12
bickyboy wrote:I hope you're not holding your breath, bickyboy. That could be as detrimental to your health as whistleblowing is to a councillor's career. And as we all know from what we have seen with our own eyes, political careers come before principles here in Wirral.
What we need right now is a whistleblower who is a councillor; someone with a social conscience that outweighs any part loyalty, someone who can avail the poor, put upon, plebby public of the true depths to which this (mixed metaphor alert) nest of vipers are willing to dip their snouts in the public trough.
Come on, Cllr. Courageous, we know you're out there somewhere....
montague1
says...
8:34am Sun 23 Sep 12
"Wirral's Bunging Councillors" ?.
PaulCa
says...
8:59am Sun 23 Sep 12
montague1 wrote:Whistle Blowers Cherished ?
IS WBC short for
"Wirral's Bunging Councillors" ?.
Positive thinker
says...
2:33pm Sun 23 Sep 12
So they step in with a few treats which
I would consider to be a nice gesture
am I the only one who thinks this way
Ben Beaconsfield
says...
3:38pm Sun 23 Sep 12
Positive thinker wrote:What you describe as 'treats', positive thinker, many of us might talk of as 'bribes'.
Maybe the people responsible for giving these treats out realise how hard these people work and don't get rewarded financially for there efforts.
So they step in with a few treats which
I would consider to be a nice gesture
am I the only one who thinks this way
But then I suppose you are at least living up to your moniker !! ;-)
Positive thinker
says...
4:25pm Sun 23 Sep 12
montague1
says...
8:12pm Sun 23 Sep 12
That way, when these wonderfully kind
philanthropic souls see this, and wish to bestow upon us, from the bottom of their gift driven hearts, little,(or large) bungs,SORRY I mean airline tickets, golfing holidays. Premier League match tickets, and heaven only knows what else, we should accept graciously and not have even the teeny weeniest
bit of conscience in so doing.
WARNING: Do Not Try This At Home
kiddy winkies!
David Scott
says...
8:25pm Sun 23 Sep 12
The Audit Commission was set up by the Tories in 1983 to keep tabs on public spending.
But it became an early target for the new Government’s austerity drive, with Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary, vetoing a proposed £240,000 salary for its chief executive.
It was criticised for paying almost £60,000 to lobbyists, as well as bombarding local authorities with “best practice” guidance on collecting rubbish.
Details of its spending showed that staff had enjoyed days out at the races and life coaching at public expense.
However new figures show that the Audit Commission continued to spend freely on hospitality even after its abolition was announced on August 13th.
The quango spent £5,000 on a dinner held on October 4th at the Banqueting House, the Grade I-listed palace on Whitehall renowned for its Rubens ceiling painting.
The meal was held for 140 members of Eurorai, a network of regional audit bodies, as the Audit Commission had agreed to hold its triennial gathering.
etc.
Tinkmax12
says...
9:21pm Sun 23 Sep 12
Positive thinker wrote:Do you work for the council or someone close to you or do u not live in the real word either
Some people on this blog seem to think everyone out there other than themselves are corrupt
Positive thinker
says...
9:55pm Sun 23 Sep 12
in the Globe about WBC it's the same
people week after week having ago at them,they all can't be bandits
daggers drawn
says...
11:10pm Sun 23 Sep 12
council officer wrote:Agree wholeheartedly with Council officer. Wonder if this will be another AKA report-no names. About time that the staff lobbied the Chief Executive to name names! Name & shame is what is needed followed by disciplinary hearings. By not doing this he is tarring all staff with the same brush. Get a grip Burgess and communicate yourself instead of allowing others to wriite for you. Your staff deserve better.
ordinary personn wrote: The audit office may not have to respond to FOI requests about these “gifts” but surely the council does? I have to say though that I LOLLED and LOLLED at this guff from the new chief exec: “But a number of the cases do not cause me concern as the officers were meeting key people investing in Wirral or building relationships. I understand that the findings could be seen in a negative way - but a key issue is that it could bring a benefit to Wirral and officers were carrying out additional work in their own time.” . What a load of horse manure! The bottom line is that there is such a thing as the bribery act which states that hospitaility must be: “reasonable, proportionate and appropriate in the circumstances (including with reference to what is normal in the particular industry)”. . Now I am certainly not suggesting that there was any bribery but what we need to know is – who provided the hospitality, why they provided it, who took it, why they took it, were they in a position to influence decisions related to the company providing the hospitality and if so what decisions were made. The company providing the hospitality have to record that information by law so it is available.Here here, totally agree. You have to look at it in the round and I am convinced it will make uncomfortable reading. If people are found out then sack them for corruption.
Hugo1008
says...
7:09pm Tue 25 Sep 12
I can remember that the Famous Library Report was not even shared with the rest of the Coulcilors under Steves Dictatorship.
Plus when are we the public to see the complete AK report in complete transparency.
Despite the momumental requests under the freedom of information regulations.
Remember for close on twenty years the Labour Administration within Council in Wirral has very much led us into the dreadful present situation, believe me it is going to get worse in the very near future.
Wirral Residents are suffering a double whammy both on a National Basis, and the complete shambles on a local basis.
JADEE1
says...
8:44pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Cheesy Peas says...
11:52am Thu 20 Sep 12