One of the recent agenda items on the Independent Hemsworth Town Council meeting held on the 3rd February 2022 was to consider the charging of rent for the 4 bedroomed flat at Hemsworth Waterpark currently occupied by the Head of Security, Samantha Knowles.
Her occupancy has caused some concern since it came to light that the previous tenant, also an employee of Hemsworth Town Council was made to vacate the premises for the her to occupy.
There are also widespread reports of a relationship between her and a Hemsworth Town Councillor, who Ferret will not name to spare embarrassment to his family.
It has now been brought to Ferret’s attention that she is also a close friend of Councillors Jean and Gordon Eccles and is and has been a regular drinking partner of theirs.
Nothing wrong in that you may say, it’s nice to have friends. Yes, it is, the only point of concern to Ferret is:
Were these relationships declared and were the rules followed about leaving the room and taking no part in the discussions?
Now you may say “Hang on Ferret the declarations if any, would be non-pecuniary and therefore they are allowed to stay in the room and take part in the discussions and decision making,”
Not so, the regulations are specific and contain the following clause:
What is a Non-Pecuniary interest? – this is an interest which is not pecuniary (as defined) but is nonetheless so significant that a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts, would reasonably regard to be so significant that it would materially impact upon your judgement of the public interest,
Therefore, Gordon and Jean Eccles and the at present, unnamed councillor should have:
extract
Declare the nature and extent of your interest including enough detail to allow a member of the
public to understand its nature.
Unless you have received dispensation upon previous application you must:
– Not participate or participate further in any discussion of the matter at a meeting;
– Not participate in any vote or further vote taken at the meeting; and
– leave the room while the item is being considered/voted upon
Ferret believes that once again, rules and regulations have been flouted by the above Councillors and they should be held accountable.
Although Ferret understands the majority of the Councillors voted for a rent to be imposed for the flat, a proper market value rent must be applied, following the usual rules by seeking more than one valuation from fully qualified professionals.
Mr Kenyon fully qualified with the certificate to prove it, in his loft somewhere, letting agency, doesn’t count…
Coming Thursday to Ferret…The full financial impact of the completed Saul agreement on our Township and as Cilla would say: Surprise, Surprise, it’s not as Jimmy would have you believe…
security guard ?seen drinking with said councilors at night ..so? who making sure water park safe on night from break ins ?drinking on job lol
How many jobs has this person got at the council. She must need to work a 24 hour day to fit it all in ………….. If she actually does them all properly or at all. No surprise about who the culprits are here again even if one is unnamed. They must stay awake at night to keep thinking the next scheme up
Page 33 of the HTC Staff Hand Book:
“Relationships – Councillors
Employees are responsible to the Council as a whole. For some, their role is to give
advice to Councillors and managers, and all are there to carry out the authority’s
work. Mutual respect between employees and Councillors is essential to good local
government. Close personal familiarity between employees and individual
Councillors can damage the relationship and prove embarrassing to other employees
and Councillors and should therefore be avoided”
Yes being under the influence is sackable in most jobs. Conducting a personal relationship isn’t condoned in the majority of jobs either.
mmm relationship with a councillor, i wonder who that could be jimmy
Do we know why she was given the ‘job’!!
We’re other people interviewed for this position? Was she the best applicant? Or does her friendship with the Eccles and the ‘councillor’ (we all know who it is) count towards the position?