BBC Inside Out Rutland County Council Statement
The East Midlands edition of the BBC Inside Out programme on 7 October included a short feature about Rutland County Council.
Although the council shares residents concerns about the impact on the reputation of the council and the county, we understand it is human nature to think ‘there is no smoke without fire’, so felt it was important to take part and answer all questions put to us.
The topics covered were familiar and have already been answered by the council, at public meetings and in the local media, on many occasions during the last two years.
A full independent investigation, focussed on many of the issues covered on ‘Inside Out’ has already taken place, and as indicated by the journalist, this cleared Rutland County Council of any alleged wrongdoing.
We hope that our local community can now see that the council has nothing to hide and that there is absolutely no basis upon which to question the honesty, integrity and professional conduct of staff and members of the council.
We also hope that having answered all of the questions put to us by the BBC, the three UKIP Councillors will now stop making false allegations and join all other Councillors in moving forward with normal council business and working with officers for the benefit of our community.
Topics covered by BBC Inside Out
Withheld information
The three UKIP Councillors have access to the same information as all other Councillors and as far as we are aware, we have supplied all documents that are available and have been requested.
The Chief Executive contacted the Leader of the UKIP group on 28 August asking them to confirm what information they think is being withheld. No response (as of 8 October) has been received.
The Limes
This is a planning application at Hambleton that was approved by the Planning Committee in 2005, and a revised application by delegated powers in 2007. The original landowner, Mr Wakerley, who featured in the BBC broadcast has challenged numerous council decisions taken in the last 20 years but two appeals and one Ombudsman investigation have all found the council has acted appropriately.
RCC Director
Sadly, one of our senior directors committed suicide in 2012 and this was a sad time for his family, friends and RCC colleagues. His wife (as next of kin) asked the council for full details of his employment which we supplied. She also asked us not to divulge any further information about the circumstances surrounding his suspension from work, and we continue to honour this request.
Police Investigation
In 2012 the three UKIP Councillors contacted police with a number of allegations but were referred back to the Standards committee at RCC. An independent investigation took place, including interviews with everyone involved, and it found there was no basis for the allegations. The police supported that view.
Parks School
A number of accusations have been made in relation to the sale of the site of the former Parks School in Oakham. This was one of the main areas covered by the previously mentioned independent report that considered evidence from everyone before reaching a conclusion. It found the council had done absolutely nothing wrong.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.474736472624483.1073741847.155623701202430&type=3
The East Midlands edition of the BBC Inside Out programme on 7 October included a short feature about Rutland County Council.
Although the council shares residents concerns about the impact on the reputation of the council and the county, we understand it is human nature to think ‘there is no smoke without fire’, so felt it was important to take part and answer all questions put to us.
The topics covered were familiar and have already been answered by the council, at public meetings and in the local media, on many occasions during the last two years.
A full independent investigation, focussed on many of the issues covered on ‘Inside Out’ has already taken place, and as indicated by the journalist, this cleared Rutland County Council of any alleged wrongdoing.
We hope that our local community can now see that the council has nothing to hide and that there is absolutely no basis upon which to question the honesty, integrity and professional conduct of staff and members of the council.
We also hope that having answered all of the questions put to us by the BBC, the three UKIP Councillors will now stop making false allegations and join all other Councillors in moving forward with normal council business and working with officers for the benefit of our community.
Topics covered by BBC Inside Out
Withheld information
The three UKIP Councillors have access to the same information as all other Councillors and as far as we are aware, we have supplied all documents that are available and have been requested.
The Chief Executive contacted the Leader of the UKIP group on 28 August asking them to confirm what information they think is being withheld. No response (as of 8 October) has been received.
The Limes
This is a planning application at Hambleton that was approved by the Planning Committee in 2005, and a revised application by delegated powers in 2007. The original landowner, Mr Wakerley, who featured in the BBC broadcast has challenged numerous council decisions taken in the last 20 years but two appeals and one Ombudsman investigation have all found the council has acted appropriately.
RCC Director
Sadly, one of our senior directors committed suicide in 2012 and this was a sad time for his family, friends and RCC colleagues. His wife (as next of kin) asked the council for full details of his employment which we supplied. She also asked us not to divulge any further information about the circumstances surrounding his suspension from work, and we continue to honour this request.
Police Investigation
In 2012 the three UKIP Councillors contacted police with a number of allegations but were referred back to the Standards committee at RCC. An independent investigation took place, including interviews with everyone involved, and it found there was no basis for the allegations. The police supported that view.
Parks School
A number of accusations have been made in relation to the sale of the site of the former Parks School in Oakham. This was one of the main areas covered by the previously mentioned independent report that considered evidence from everyone before reaching a conclusion. It found the council had done absolutely nothing wrong.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.474736472624483.1073741847.155623701202430&type=3
