Lib Dem Councillors condemn Chief Executive for political interference. (Darlington and Sedgefield Liberal Democrats)

Darlington and Sedgefield Liberal Democrats <joe.kelley@darlingtonlibdems.org.uk>

Lib Dem Councillors condemn Chief Executive for political interference.

February 20, 2006 11:14 PM

Liberal Democrat Councillors Stephen Jones, Fred Lawton and Martin Swainston have written to the Borough Solicitor and the local press, to express their dissatisfaction that the Chief Executive of the Council, Ms Ada Burns, wrote a letter to the Northern Echo in which she criticised a senior Conservative Councillor.

Ms Burns wrote to the Northern Echo: "In reply to Cllr Charles Johnson's comments, I am very concerned about the inaccurate remarks he has made which I am sure will have caused much anxiety to staff, parents and pupils of Longfield and Branksome Schools. There is no intention or plan to merge the two schools or close Branksome. This scenario was one considered a year ago as part of a large transformation of secondary education. The agreed policy involves investment in both schools to build on their own efforts. The Council would not want to jeopardise all this hard work. I regret the comments made by Cllr Johnson suggesting Branksome will close. These remarks will do nothing but upset everyone who is committed to the School..."

In response, our Liberal Democrat Councillors have complained to the Borough Solicitor about the Chief Executive's interference in political issues. Their letter to the Northern Echo said:

"The Liberal Democrat group on Darlington borough Council deplores the fact that the Chief Executive of the Council, Ada Burns, has written a letter which publicly criticises a senior member of the opposition party.

"Any factual errors in Councillor Johnson's letter should have been pointed out privately by the Chief Executive who, as an employee of the Council, should not become publicly involved in political discussion.

"The apparent politicisation of the Chief Executive reveals how subservient council officials appear to have become to the local Labour leadership.

Ms Burns is a local government officer and her public criticism of an elected representative is totally unacceptable. Why does she feel it necessary to involve herself in this manner? Is she speaking for herself or Cllr Williams? Why does Cllr Williams send her to public meetings about his education plans, but not attend himself? Why does he continue to hide behind Ms Burns?...Can we have some straight answers please? We've had enough secrecy and obfuscation, and remind Cllr Williams not to use independent Council officers for political purposes."