Concerned that Wirral council leader downplayed Klonowski

I WOULD like to respond to the letter headlined "Profoundly disagree with comments on Foulkes" from the leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Phil Davies in last week's Globe.

I am particularly concerned about his statement: "The shortcomings highlighted by the Anna Klonowski report went back several years and did not place the blame on elected members."

Firstly, Ms Klonowski does not refer merely to 'shortcomings'.

Her review in fact states: "The council's reputation has further deteriorated because, in relation to Department for Adult Social Services at least, it has in some areas been unable or unwilling to accept these serious failings and to address them." 

This would still appear to be the case.

Councillor Davies' historical distancing ("went back several years") is surely now longer a credible get-out following a series of high-profile inquiries - Hillsborough, Leveson, Mid-Staffs - all of which demonstrate that if truth, justice and accountability are denied, they will continue to be vigorously pursued.

As for the report not placing the blame on elected members, an investigation of councillors' conduct was specifically excluded from the independent review.

Regardless of that, I simply cannot fathom how anyone who has read Ms Klonowski's supplementary report 'Corporate Governance Arrangements - Refresh and Renew' could possibly absolve elected members of any blame when she states "the evidence confirms the consultant's conclusion that, over a considerable period of time, this council has been consistently unable to get a grip of a range of inter-related issues."

Martin Morton, by email

Comments(7)

Hugo1008 says...
8:07pm Tue 12 Mar 13

Good on You Martin, do not let up, you have the support of many others in Wirral.

Wirral Council have had for the past 20 years, the worst useless corrupt and unfeeling deadbeats in positions of authority, and this has been condoned, supported, and encouraged by some of the 60 something equally useless so called elected Councilors that we have had the misfortune to suffer.

And that includes a number of Mayors who should never have been allowed to hold this office, Male and Female alike.

In the last 10 years there has been an alarming increase in cruelty, deceit, misinformation, and severe maladministration, with copious lashings of whitewash, as never seen before.

Rest assured Martin you will win in the end, you know it and they know it, and with gods will, your cause and good health will prevail.

Growl Tiger says...
3:14pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Well said Martin.
Fellow commentators - be prepared for another “I do not believe it” when you read the latest regarding the presentation to councillors tonight about the scandal at North Staffs.

bickyboy says...
8:54am Thu 14 Mar 13

Even if Foulkes had no knowledge of, or connection with the events that led to Klonowski, his leadership of the council was thereby tainted and I'm sure that a large number of Wirral residents will regard the prospect of his becoming Mayor as simply outrageous.

If, as seems likely judging by Phil Davies's expressions of support, the local Labour party are desperate to see Steve Foulkes rehabilitated, they should quietly suggest to him that he garners some dignity by refusing the nomination and withdrawing to continue counting his expenses at Merseytravel.

Lorca says...
1:10pm Thu 14 Mar 13

Excellent letter. Well done.

woodyres2 says...
1:22pm Thu 14 Mar 13

bickyboy wrote:
Even if Foulkes had no knowledge of, or connection with the events that led to Klonowski, his leadership of the council was thereby tainted and I'm sure that a large number of Wirral residents will regard the prospect of his becoming Mayor as simply outrageous. If, as seems likely judging by Phil Davies's expressions of support, the local Labour party are desperate to see Steve Foulkes rehabilitated, they should quietly suggest to him that he garners some dignity by refusing the nomination and withdrawing to continue counting his expenses at Merseytravel.
And at Wirral Partnership Homes Bickyboy..

Dignity - they don't know the meaning of that word.

PaulCa says...
9:00pm Thu 14 Mar 13

And here's how woefully out of touch and GREEDY the gravy train can be... the driver, engine man and staff get an up to 36% pay rise while the staff struggle to get 3%....

www.easyvirtualassis
tance.co.uk/gravytra
in1.JPG

RL 1952 says...
11:03am Sun 17 Mar 13

Hugo1008 wrote:
Good on You Martin, do not let up, you have the support of many others in Wirral.

Wirral Council have had for the past 20 years, the worst useless corrupt and unfeeling deadbeats in positions of authority, and this has been condoned, supported, and encouraged by some of the 60 something equally useless so called elected Councilors that we have had the misfortune to suffer.

And that includes a number of Mayors who should never have been allowed to hold this office, Male and Female alike.

In the last 10 years there has been an alarming increase in cruelty, deceit, misinformation, and severe maladministration, with copious lashings of whitewash, as never seen before.

Rest assured Martin you will win in the end, you know it and they know it, and with gods will, your cause and good health will prevail.
Well said, Martin you have more support throughout Wirral than the dead beat councillors and senior officers who have sought to cover up the malpractice that has been uncovered. It is nothing short of scandalous corruption that has only been perpetuated by subsequent cover ups - 4week care scandal - recent £10m overspend revelation but it just goes on and on and where are the elected councillors and MPs noteable by their absence as per usual

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