Helen Briggs, Report For Special Council Meeting, Rutland Anti Corruption Party

REPORT NO: 13/2013

COUNCIL

10 January 2013
INDEPENDENT REPORT - RUTLAND ANTI-CORRUPTION GROUP
Report of the Chief Executive

STRATEGIC AIM:

All

1. PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
1.1 The purpose of this report is to advise on progress against the resolution made by Council on the 8 October 2012 to commission a report into the impact of the actions of the Rutland Anti-Corruption Group upon the Council.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1 That the Council considers the options set out in this report.

3. REASONS FOR THE RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1
Legal advice was taken on the basis of the concerns raised during the debate on the Notice of Motion proposed at the Council meeting on 8 October 2012 concerning the actions of the Rutland Anti-Corruption Group.
3.2
The legal advice which is appended to this report outlines a number of options available to the Council.
4.

BACKGROUND
4.1 At the Council meeting on 8 October 2012, the Leader proposed the following motion to Council under Procedure Rule 34:

“Is this Council aware of the damage being done to this Council by the concerted
attacks on its officers and members by a certain group of councillors?”
As a result of debate on that motion the Council resolved as follows:

1) That the Chief Executive and senior officers be congratulated on the professional way in which they conduct Rutland County Council business and that the Council has every confidence in them, and
2) That the Chief Executive organises an independent report on the actions of the Rutland Anti-Corruption Party.

4.2 On 9 October the Chief Executive and the Head of Legal Services and Deputy
Monitoring Officer met to discuss the most appropriate means of carrying out the Council’s motion. It was concluded that the purpose of the report, in accordance
with the motion, should be to examine the alleged impact of the actions that members of the Rutland Anti-Corruption Party were having upon:

Staff morale

Other members of the council

Operational delivery of council services

Reputational damage.
It was agreed that the Deputy Monitoring Officer would undertake instruction of the independent report for two reasons:

Complaints had been made against the Monitoring Officer by the Anti- Corruption Group

The Deputy Monitoring Officer had been primarily involved in the earlier Standards Committee complaint made by the Anti-Corruption Group (although the investigation was carried out by an independent appointed investigator).

4.3 It was decided to begin the review by examining the email traffic from the last election date to the present as well as reviewing the outcome of an earlier investigation following a complaint made by members of the Anti-Corruption Group to the Police and the Council’s Standards Committee regarding corruption. It was considered that this would identify the issues so that an appropriate party could be identified to carry out the review requested by Council.

4.4 The primary concerns of the Chief Executive raised at the meeting were:

continued aggressive email correspondence from members of the Anti- Corruption Group to officers of the Council

continual accusations of corruption made against officers and members both internally and to external third parties without any apparent justification

volume of email traffic to individual officers impacting upon workload (and therefore affecting their ability to deliver the service)

lack of engagement with appropriate methods of raising concerns: refusal to use scrutiny panels and refusal to attend meetings with the Chief Executive.

4.5 The initial review of the email correspondence led to an immediate concern on the
part of the Deputy Monitoring Officer that the emails demonstrated evidence of:

reckless and serious allegations by members of the Anti-Corruption Group, unsubstantiated by evidence, made with the potential to harm the reputation of officers, members and the Council itself

potential harassment of officers

failure to comply with Council processes which impeded the efficient operation of the Council.

4.5 The Deputy Monitoring Officer contacted Peter Keith-Lucas of Bevan Brittan, Solicitors, who are a well-known private firm of solicitors specialising in governance and local government law who agreed to meet at the Council offices on 17 October.

It was not considered that alternative quotes for this work would be required, as would ordinarily be required under the Contract Procedure Rules. It would not have been possible to provide a specification for this work given its nature. The costs incurred to date have been largely accumulated through the time taken to read the correspondence and these are costs which it was not considered reasonable to incur on three separate occasions in order to distinguish which adviser would provide better value. In any event the approval of spend by Council on this report
at its meeting on 12 November is considered to be sufficient dispensation from the Procedure Rules.

4.6 Information in the possession of the Chief Executive was given to Bevan Brittan by the Deputy
Monitoring Officer at the meeting on 17 October with a view to Peter Keith-Lucas scoping the request for a review of the documents. This resulted in the report to Council on the 12 November to authorise the estimated cost of reading and reviewing the paperwork in the sum of £8,000.

4.7 Advice on the specific areas of concern was received by the Deputy Monitoring Officer on 16 November. Due to the Deputy Monitoring Officer’s absence from the office a meeting could not be arranged with the Chief Executive to report back this advice until 4 December. Further advice was sought from Peter Keith-Lucas arising from issues relating to the death of a Council employee. The original legal advice and the supplementary advice are attached as Appendix A and Appendix B respectively.

5.
NEXT STEPS
5.1 Although the scope of the motion was wide, the legal advice is limited to the immediate areas of concern raised by the Chief Executive. It was considered appropriate to report this advice back to the Council as early as possible before continuing with any further review.
5.2 The Council has a number of options regarding this advice. It can:

Authorise the authority to take legal action in respect of the defamation of the authority by the Anti-Corruption Group and its members;

Authorise the authority to take legal action to seek an injunction to prevent harassment of the Chief Executive and other officers by the Anti-Corruption Group and its members;

Resolve to grant an indemnity to, and support the Chief Executive and/or other officers, to take legal action in her/their own name(s) for harassment by the Anti-Corruption Group and its members;

Resolve to instruct the Chief Executive to make a complaint on behalf of the Council to the Police against the Anti-Corruption Group and its members in respect of:
a. criminal harassment of officers of the Council, and/or
b. breach of the Malicious Communications Act 1988 and the Communications Act 2003;

Resolve to seek the agreement of the Anti-Corruption Group and its members to participation in alternative means of resolution , e.g. Mediation;

Resolve that all communications to any part of the Council from the Anti-Corruption Group and its members be subject to a Single Point of Contact, subject to periodic report back from the Chief Executive;

Resolve to resume a wider independent review of the impacts of the actions of the Anti-Corruption Group and its members on the Council;

Resolve to take no further action in respect of the Anti-Corruption Group and its members, subject to further report from the Chief Executive if required.

5.3 Should the Council decide to take, or support, any further action against the members of the Anti-Corruption Group it must also authorise the expenditure for such legal action.

5.4 Since the Council received the initial legal advice, the members of the Anti-Corruption Group have conducted pickets outside the Council's offices. The location and timing of these pickets, their conduct on such pickets and the fact that they have displayed placards relating to the death of a Council employee which has been the subject of an inquest, suggests that their purpose is at least in part to cause distress to Council officers. The Deputy Monitoring Officer sought additional advice on this point. As a result of this advice action can be taken as part of seeking an injunction on behalf of the Council to prevent harassment of Council officers, or could be the subject of a separate legal action to prohibit this particularly distressing activity.

6.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
6.1 The cost of any further legal or other action will depend upon which of the various options the Council resolves to take.

7. RISK MANAGEMENT
RISK
IMPACT
COMMENTS
Time
Medium
The legal advice would suggest that this matter is considered and action resolved within the near future
Viability
Medium
The advice addresses the availability and practicality of options.
Finance
Medium
Will depend upon the resolution of the Council.
Profile
High
There is likely to be significant public interest in any action taken.
Equality and Diversity
Low
Screening suggests there are no implications.
Background Papers Report Author
Complaint Document Helen Briggs
– Chief Executive’s files
Chief Executive
Tel No: (01572)722577
email: enquiries@rutland.gov.uk
A Large Print or Braille Version of this Report is available upon request – Contact 01572 722577.

Private Eye, The Rotten Borough, Helen Briggs, Aman Mehra, Rutland Anti Corruption Party, Leicestershire Police

In this weeks Private Eye you can read about the Rotten Borough.

The article is about the Rutland County Council, The Chief Executive Helen Briggs
The tragic suicide that Iron Boots hopes will go away.

Sadly it mentions a pensioner who received a threatening phone call
after she wrote a letter to the Rutland Times. "keep you nose out" she was told.

When I first started making comments about our bullying councils and their friends,
I received a phone call from a woman she said "we know where you live"

Christmas 2010 I received a call from a man threatening "to do me in"

The police tell me the call originated from a payphone at Leicester Hospital.
I do not believe they made any effort to trace the call because as was the case then
and now, the number is a fax line not a payphone. When I google the number it suggests
it's a Tilton On The Hill Number, Some research led me to find this is the prefered
location for The Rutland Tories to hold their meetings. Sgt Foster was put in charge
of this so it does not surprise me nothing was achieved, He once said "I deserve all
I get"

Then there were the despicable depraved letters, many binned when Inspector Monks
was based in Oakham, the grave stone order and then my arrest earlier this year which
When ten people some Councillors led by Tory Councillor Gene Plews lied to police.
All claiming I stalk them. The CPS were critical of the police. I am attempting to obtain
a copy of the report using FOI. Then there are their homophobic blogs and twitter accounts,
which Leicester Police seem to be having great difficulty in tracing. I am sure if I set  up
something similar attacking them or the local council they would be knocking on my door the
same day.

I do hope the old lady is not subject to the same bullying I have suffered over
the last 5+ years.

The people connected to the local Tory Party are very nasty cowardly bullies.

If you are critical of local governance her in Rutland, you have to keep looking over
your shoulder. Looking out for Briggs, Beggy, King and Plews  Bullies, The first three
described as that in a email I once received from the lapsed Tory now Anti Corruption
Party member, The last from my own personal experience.



www.private-eye.co.uk

Copies of Private Eye have sold out in many local newsagents this week, Tesco Oakham still has
a few copies.



From today’s Private Eye, Rotten Boroughs, page 15

Strange goings on in Britain’s smallest county.  On the morning of 15 June, Aman Mehra, Rutland council’s “Director of Places”, was confronted in the council offices by chief executive Helen Briggs.  She told him he was suspended indefinitely and escorted him off the premises.  That evening, he was found hanged at his home in Leicester.  An inquest concluded he had taken his own life and recorded a narrative verdict.  The court heard that “disciplinary” letters were found in his car, but their contents were not revealed.  Colleagues say  that Mehra, 42, was honest, well-liked and appeared to have no problems.  Family members, however, say that he had complained of being “ marginalised” at work and was worried after “discovering things that he shouldn't have”.

Since Mehtra’s death, a group of three independent councillors formed the “Rutland Anti-Corruption Party” after asking questions about a number of property sales of which the details seemed sketchy.  The councillors were reduced to making freedom of information requests to the council in an attempt to see relevant files and documents.

Last month, Rutland responded by paying law firm Bevan-Brittan £8,000 to “investigate” the Anti-Corruption Party.  This was presumably a roundabout way of threatening libel proceedings, on the grounds that to say one is “anti-corruption” may suggest that corruption exists.

Meanwhile, in late November, a pensioner who wrote to a local paper calling for “openness and transparency” about Mehra’s death received an anonymous phone call warning her to “keep her nose out”.  Multum in Parvo indeed.”

a complaint has been lodged with the EU regarding Rutland County Councils Digital Rutland Contract.

Rural Broadband Consultancy - David Lewis, founder and owner of Rutland Telecom.
Now advising rural communities how to get NGA.

Rutland  ·  http://www.broadbandconsultancy.co.uk

Has tweeted that a complaint has been lodged with the EU regarding Rutland County Councils
Digital Rutland Contract.


Tweet:

RuralFibre @RuralFibre

A complaint has been lodged with the EU regarding Rutland County Council and BT/BDUK.

Rutland County Council refuses to release details of independent advice taken re BT #BDUK FTTC decision/contract under FOI

Rural Broadband Consultancy - David Lewis, founder and owner of Rutland Telecom.
Now advising rural communities how to get NGA.


Rutland  ·  http://www.broadbandconsultancy.co.uk

Has tweeted Rutland County Councils refusal to  comply with a FOI request.


Tweet:
RuralFibre @RuralFibre
Rutland County Council refuses to release details of independent advice taken re BT #BDUK FTTC decision/contract under FOI 


It does not surprise me that Rutland County Council refises to release this information.

Cllr Terry King turned very nasty in the early days when I asked a simple question about the original presentation. Did Cllr King declare it was his company shown in the presentation. to this date he and the
council have refused to answer that simple question.

Looking at further Tweets it appears the Digital Rutland Contract Signed by Helen Briggs Chief Executive
of Rutland County County Council has been leaked. If its sent to me I would be happy to publish it.

Very Soon Chief Executive of Rutland County Council will probably celebrate six years in her job. What has she achieved?

Very Soon Chief Executive of Rutland County Council will probably celebrate six years in her job. What has she achieved?

H Briggs Right

A reputation for being a bully, a description given in a email from Tory Councillor who resigned from the party and a verbal comments from a Union Shop Steward and staff.

After one year Mrs Briggs spoke to the Guardian  "We are lean and mean," enthuses chief executive Helen Briggs,

This is probably the only time Mrs Briggs has given an honest statement about herself and the council.

Since the article was written the council made another honest statement and admitted it is political.

It is mainly Conservative led by 4 Bullies Mrs Briggs, Roger Begy and Terry King. (as described in a email received from a former Tory after his resignation from the Party. I personally add the name of Cllr Gene Plews to that list.

The recent news item about Tory MP Andrew Mitchell and his alleged outburst calling a policeman a pleb.and Tory David Cameron's outburst in the commons  back in May when he said ‘which we wouldn’t have if we’d listened to the muttering idiot sitting opposite me.’ all this reminds me of Helen Briggs Tory Council.

The Standards Committee ruled it is "political tit for tat" when Tory Councillors refer to me as an "idiot" in communications. when I complained about an email sent by Tory Gene Plews, I guess that is why the mainly Tory Committee took no action against the Tory leader Roger Begy when he called me an idiot when I attended a meeting of the council, 

It seems to me you have to be a particular breed to be a Rutland Tory. Maybe when Cameron and Andrew lose their seats at the next election they can come and join the Rutland Tories they would fit in nicely around Helen Briggs table.





Some residents contributed towards a gift for Helen Briggs
unfortunately they did not have much spare cash left after
paying the highest council tax in the country.

some refused by saying we pay her £130,000 a year
she can buy her own flowers.

Reminding her of the Tory Motto "We are all in it together"
as if?

Peter Hetherington: Rutland is 10 years old, but is small beautiful ...

www.guardian.co.uk › News › SocietyShare

19 Sep 2007 – "We are lean and mean," enthuses chief executive Helen Briggs, who lives in Oakham. "When I go shopping, people stop me in the street and ...

• ews
• Society

Independent means

England's tiniest county is 10 years old, but residents are still divided over whether small is beautiful

Things you didn't know about Rutland
Profile of Rutland by Local Futures (pdf)

• Peter Hetherington
• The Guardian, Wednesday 19 September 2007

Sharing services is essential to the survival of Rutland. Photograph: David Sillitoe

Ten years after breaking away from Leicestershire to become an all-purpose unitary council, England's smallest county - population 38,500 - celebrated "independence day" last weekend with morris dancing, carnivals, concerts and fireworks.

Rutland, on the southern fringes of the East Midlands, within commuting distance of London, might stretch a mere 18 miles from north to south and 17 east to west at the widest point, but it still occupies a land area bigger than many cities. And its status is attracting renewed interest, with unitary local government back on the agenda as ministers prepare final guidance to create, potentially, 16 new unitary authorities, from Exeter to Northumberland. Local government minister John Healey insists that the new authorities will deliver more "effective, responsive and efficient services", and will save around £150m annually, which can be used to cut council tax bills.

Significant deficits

The message from Rutland, based on the last review of local government in the mid-1990s, which created a raft of new unitary councils, is that the opposite can be the case, with many new councils inheriting significant deficits. The dilemma is how to match efficiency and economies of scale with the need to create units of local governance that accommodate historical boundaries and interests. In other words, balancing size with local identity.

By any measure, the residents of Rutland - motto: Much in Little - are proud to identify with a county first recognised as a shire in the 12th century. With 51 parishes, two towns - Oakham and Uppingham - and 26 county councillors, it certainly passes the democratic test. "We are lean and mean," enthuses chief executive Helen Briggs, who lives in Oakham. "When I go shopping, people stop me in the street and question me about local services, like the swimming pool [which has just had a £500,000 revamp]. At parish council meetings, it's not unusual for me to attend along with other officials."

But does an authority with only 350 staff - a further 378 are tied to education, serving 17 primary and three secondary schools - and a net budget of £27m pass the value-for-money test. Council leader Roger Begy, a Conservative who is proud to lead what he calls a "non-political council" based on consensus - there is no party whip, although most members are Tories - is still rattled by the bill Leicestershire left his infant council to pick up 10 years ago. "The rationale is that the budget should have followed services, but we were left with a £3m shortfall," he says. "That has always put pressure on the community in terms of council tax and a dedicated staff to deliver services as cost effectively as possible."

The upshot, he concedes, is that while a majority of Rutlanders are pleased with the performance of the county council, a "significant minority" remain concerned about the cost of independence. Jim Harrison, mayor of Oakham, the largest town, is among them. "I was always against the idea from the outset," he says. "I said it would cost us more money - and so it has. Nothing good has come of it."

For Harrison, it boils down to the council tax: £1,200 annually, he says, for a three-bedroom house in Rutland and only £800 for a similar property in Leicestershire "three miles away". Since his outburst in the Rutland Times last week, he insists he has received considerable support. "A lot of people have stopped me and said: 'Thank God we have a mayor who's saying what we're thinking.' They remember the first thing the [new] council did: spend £1m to extend its head office."

Begy will have none of it. "[Harrison] has taken a hell of a lot of stick from local people who feel he has no open mind on this issue," he responds. But Begy accepts that running Rutland requires some imaginative thinking - namely, sharing services with neighbouring authorities, including Leicestershire and Lincolnshire county councils. Aside from police and fire, still run by Leicestershire, internal audit and economic development are shared; shortly, revenue and benefits, legal services and building control will follow suit.

While acknowledging that sharing services is essential to the survival of Rutland, Briggs insists that collaboration on this scale means the council can customise delivery to suit local circumstances. At present, for instance, a mobile library service is shared with Leicestershire, although they are now considering how to modify this to provide a wider mobile access point for council services.

Briggs, a former corporate director with Doncaster council in South Yorkshire, which serves a population of 287,000, is clearly enthused about Rutland's close identity with the community. She recalls, for instance, the council's former lead member, who knew the names, and the circumstances, of all the children in the care of the local council.

Passionate about issues

And party politics? While 19 of the 26 councillors are Conservatives, Briggs finds it hard to detect party allegiances. She says: "I would describe them as members who are passionate about issues, and not political in a party political sense - passionate about doing the right thing for Rutland."

As to the future, Begy thinks unitary, or all-purpose local government, may be the way forward for other councils - provided the financial base is secure. He says: "Ten years ago, we were told that the creation of new unitaries would be cost-neutral and the funding would follow the services, yet we inherited a deficit that has taken 10 years to write off."

Not surprisingly, his advice to aspiring all-purpose councils is to "spend a lot of time and effort on calculating and negotiating the way service delivery costs are split up". But he knows that tiny Rutland still has its detractors. Too small to be efficient? "Absolute rubbish," he responds "We've done a hell of a lot in 10 years, connecting with the public in a way that larger councils cannot. Surely that is what local democracy is about?"

· Email your comments to society@guardian.co.uk. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication"

The Rutland Anti Corruption Party at Rutland County Council formed a group 4Rutland Website

The Rutland Anti Corruption Party at Rutland County Council formed a group 4Rutland

4Rutland was formed as a response to concerns about risks posed by local Councillors who may put party political allegiance before the needs of people who live and work in Rutland.

There is a concern that Full Council Meetings on major issues are brief, raising suspicions that decisions may be pre-determined. The Scrutiny process is minimal. Well qualified Councillors are side-lined, with little or no influence in debates that could be about spending £Millions of public money. With such a small Council this cannot be good for Rutland and the people we serve in these difficult times.

We three politically Independent Councillors were all elected to the Council to serve the people and not a Party. We have grouped together to build a stronger body to better represent and inform the people of Rutland.

The aim of our group is to challenge decisions being hastily rushed through. The intention is to demand greater detail to ensure decisions are made in the best interests of the electorate. We ask for transparency in order to include the people of Rutland to a greater extent in the democratic process.

We have created this website to:

• Share our thoughts and concerns
• Keep you informed of current issues at the Council
• List meetings you might wish to attend
• Provide internet links to a selection of interesting and helpful resources

Please visit website - 4Rutland

Reading this reminded me of Helen Briggs and Geoff Pook at Rutland County Council

Legal boss working for fatcat council chief Andrea Hill sent her suicide note citing 'demands placed on him'

A senior council officer who killed himself due to pressures at work left a  suicide note addressed to his controversial boss, an inquest heard yesterday.
David White, 51, hanged  himself in woodland after becoming depressed about his increasing workload.

 Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/news

 

 

The demands Fat Cat Boss Helen Briggs and her team of cowardly bullies place on the Head of Legal Services at Rutland County Council must be immense. 

 

(Sorry I forgot Peterborough City Council now run his department)

Its clear from my experience of Rutland County Council the Head of Legal Services is often forced to bring his profession into disrepute. Mr Pook has often said to me, almost all I say is true, but its the way you say it. If this statement is true then why not support all of us who complain about the way Rutland County Council treats people instead appearing to be turning a constant blind eye?  (must be the big pay packet?)

Stop covering for the fat cats often illegal behaviour and lack of ability during the May elections just to name one set of incidents

Before long I should think his pressure will be reduced as she slowly puts herself out of a job.

Contracting out nearly all departments surely leaves her with little work to do and any justification to continue as the highly paid Chief Executive.

I have noticed the council critics are growing on Twitter she can't shut them all up for long.

 

Of course they can block them if they don't like what they see.  I was threatened by Rutland County Council for mentioning Council staff and Councillors by name on Twitter when referring to the new pool bikes.

 

Rutland County County Council sent me a direct message requesting I delete the messages and refrain from using names in further tweets or they will block me.

 

Censorship again! I don't think, so I blocked them I don't want to see the rubbish Helen Briggs sanctions as ok! to Tweet!

 

 

Catmose Campus Official Opening by Dr Laurence Howard, H.M. Lord Lieutenant of Rutland O.B.E, JP

Oakham Mayor Cllr Joyce Lucas, Dr Laurence Howard, H.M. Lord Lieutenant of Rutland O.B.E, J.P,
Stuart Williams, the Principal Catmose College, Edward Baines Chairman of Rutland County Council and Helen Briggs, the Chief Executive of Rutland County Council


Today was the official opening of Catmose Campus, marking the achievement and success of one of Rutland's biggest projects to date.

I felt a little bit like a gatecrasher as the Town Council had not contributed in anyway to this project.

The hospitality from the college was superb, plenty to drink soft or bubbly. The nibbles from Waitrose...

We were are shuffled into the theatre, via the art gallery currently showing student works.

Once in the theatre the Principle spoke and thanked all involved and then it was the turn of two head students who spoke about the benefits of the new campus.

Then Dr Laurence spoke and cut a ribbon in front of the stage and the curtain opened and we were treated to highlights from the student production of Hair Spray, Very talented students, it would have been good to see the whole show. I don't think my school ever put on performances like this one.

Click Here To See Performance Photographs


Then Helen Briggs spoke

After this we all took a look around the Campus, I was very impressed by Anna who offered a tour of the Campus. She was very informative and explained many features in great detail. I asked questions and received good answers.

Mr Stuart is rightly very proud of his students and staff and the new campus. Even if the students call his new restaurant a canteen... They also appear to be enjoying their new Campus.

I departed feeling very cheerful and then it was of to Oakham Town Council that was a long night................

Complaint in relation to Ms H Briggs Officer, Rutland County Council, The Electoral Commission

The Electoral Commission
Democracy Matters?

Finally got around to writing a reply to my complaint.

I their reply they suggest they have no powers to act and the complaints are a matter for the court.

As Oakham police appear to have not idea in how to deal with election laws this is unlikely to ever reach the courts.

I would suggest the reason for lack of action by Leicestershire Constabulary to investigate any election complaints made by myself and other members of the public, shows a clear example of the cosy relationship Inspector Monks enjoys with Rutland County Council.

The police have taken no action regarding the letter I handed in some weeks ago that clearly link them or the council to illegal acts during the election. I am told the letters are still sitting gathering dust in evidence bags in PS Fosters in tray at Oakham Police station.

The Electoral Commission says it has a set of performance standards by which they access the performance of Electoral Registration Officers and Returning Officer. The various complaints will be taken into consideration when they next collect information in relation to Returning Officers and their performance. This I hope will also include the lack of performance shown by Mrs Briggs. I still can't understand why she felt she could take a holiday in the middle of a election period. Of course her deputy did a sterling job during her absence.

The Commission also states they have written to #### #### as they complained the Commission about the election count for the Oakham South West Ward.

Rutland County Council, Broadband, Leader Roger Begy, Deputy Leader Terry King, Helen Briggs

Leading broadband providers from around the country converged on Oakham  as Rutland County Council's project to improve broadband speeds across the county gathered pace.
The council is currently waiting to hear if a bid for £1.6 million to the Regional Growth Fund has been successful and further applications for funding are due to be made in the coming months.

I was sent details of the presentation along with a simple question did the deputy leader Conservative Councillor Terry King and fellow Conservative Councillor inform those present, the two companies featured in the presentation belonged to them?

I wrote to the deputy leader Conservative Terry King and asked the very simple question.

The answer should have been YES or  No to my surprise emails were sent throughout the day ending at 8pm

A few days before Cllr Terry King had written to tell me I was a disgrace and anyone who meets me does not ever want to see me again.

So you can imagine my surprise when he offered me a pledge, a pledge to provide some funds and help me to start up a new business, not something you would expect from a person who had so publicy declared his dislike for me only a few days before.

Council Leader Conservative Roger Begy did nudge him at one point writing. "Brookes is not writing these alone"

If Councillor King and Councillor Begy think they can buy me, they can think again.

The local police hold evidence linking Rutland County Council to a unlawful campaign during the recent election. they also have a number of vile and offensive letters all using the same stationary as the last received which included a marked copy of a document only handed to the council and the local police.

The police are failing to take action because their own police inspector Mr Monks is in it up to his neck.

His local officers all say they are fed up to the teeth with the actions of the council.

I see the big problem for Mr Monks is he can not point the finger because if he does he incriminates himself.

Yesterday I accompanied a member of the public to the police station and acted as observer, whilst there a member of staff said Mr Brookes I have been told I must give you a receipt for the letters you handed in last week. A slight improvement there.

Mr Begy and Mr King and Chief Executive Helen Briggs need to consider the actions of their council very carefully, possible even considering their positions at the Council.

Helen Briggs Chief Executive and Rutland County Council Returning Officer

Helen Briggs Chief Executive and Rutland County Council Returning Officer was seen and covertly photographed standing outside Independent Candidate Helen Pender's home for over minutes last night?
Was she inspecting Ms Penders election poster?

Rutland County Council Election Postal Vote Mix Up

Rutland County Council Returning Officer Helen Briggs is off enjoying the spring sun for the next two weeks and already significant mistake that could have a serious implications for the election results have started.

52 postal votes were delivered to voters in Morcott Rutland.


Voter are finding a serious error they have received ballot papers for Wing Rutland.

Rutland County Council blame this on their printers based in Slough. A printers error.


They also say this is the first year the postal votes have been contracted out, in the past they have always been produced and sent from in house.

Conservative Councillor Peter Jones said it nothing to worry about its only a printers error relating to the Morecott Parish Council Elections and not Unitary Elections.


Rutland County Council say voters will receive new ballot papers in the morning.


I fear this will result in a lot of confusion, after I noticed the mess a couple were getting into casting a proxy vote this morning. They were issued new forms because they made errors and found the forms very confusing.


So if you are a voter in Morcott please check your not voting for Wing Parish Council.


Only time will tell if the printers have made the similar errors throughout the county.


I have asked Rutland County to let me know what measures Rutland County Council has put in place, so the 52 ballot papers sent out in error are not fraudulently used at the Wing Parish Elections?

Inspector Johny Monks Leicestershire Constabulary, Oakham police, complaints to be investigated

Inspector Johny Monks Leicestershire Constabulary, Oakham police, complaints to be investigated.

After several complaints made to the Independent Police Authority relating to Inspectors Monks involvement with the activities of Oakham Town Council and Rutland County Council I can now confirm a full investigation has been requested. 

Three of the most serious complaints are to be investigated by

 

Professional Standards Department

Leicestershire Constabulary

 

Recently  I attended a meeting with Inspector Barber and Simon Eyley D/Sgt 525 at Oakham  Police Station.

After the meeting I received the following conformation.

In relation to the complaints I raised D/Sgt Eyley says he has discussed these with the force assessing officer and I will ultimately receive communication from this department in relation to the same.

 

The matter in relation to the meeting at Oakham Police Station and audio tape recording of the same, has now been assessed and recorded as a complaint - reference CO/454/10. I am now waiting to hear what the next stage of the process is for this.

 

The issues surrounding the passing on my personal information to an outside organisation, together with the issues surrounding Councillor Joyce Lucas arising from the common assault and the comments over 'Protection' offered to Councillor Lucas by Inspector Monks will be assessed. 

I have provided a copy of Councillor Joyce Lucas professional standards statement as evidence.

In her statement she says Johnny telephoned early morning telling her "we will protect you" she was then invited to Oakham police station, very shortly after this call she says received another from the Chief Executive of  Rutland County Council Helen Briggs who offered her support and assistance. She then goes on to say Helen Briggs sent Conservative Councillor Terry King along to support her at the interview. 

No charges were brought against Councillor Joyce Lucas, she later explained her actions of common assault being her Christian duty, because other Councillors were not very nice to me.

 

She then went on to hound Inspector Monks telling him, she was very concerned I walk around town on my own and felt I may self harm myself?

Helen Briggs Councillor King the nuclear option and the Hawksmead Row at Rutland County Council

Nuclear Warfare at Rutland County Council.

The attached email shows nuclear war nearly broke out at Rutland Council last Christmas.

Councillor Mr Richard J Gale (Independent) - OAKHAM NORTH WEST WARD in an attempt to assist a member of the public suggested the council had failed her.

This made Councillor Mr Terry C King (Conservative) - EXTON WARD (Deputy Leader of the Council) overreact (email comment made by Geoff Pook to Helen Briggs Chief Executive)

It was decided the sub-nuclear option may be the preferred option.


At the same time the Council was embroiled in a huge row about Hawksmead.


Geoff Pook attempted to calm matters and Mrs Briggs the "Lean and Mean Queen" 
said she did not agree with Geoff and is very angry with Councillor Gales behaviour.


This explains why she walked home and said she was attending an important meeting instead of attending the meeting to answer the public question.

Click on images to enlarge

Rutland County Councils Failure to Redact

A member of the public who has said she has been bullied by Rutland County Council for over two years, used the freedom of information act to obtain documents relating to her.

This includes e-mails sent my senior Councillors and Staff, its no surprise the e-mails make the council very stupid and unprofessional.. Mr Roger B Begy (Conservative) - GREETHAM WARD  (Leader of the Council) for example says things like "she slags people of" hardly the grammar you would expect from the leader.

One Councillor suggests to him it would be better if tape recordings of a meeting were to vanish!

I am more concerned about the one below my name was not redacted before it was sent out to this member of the public.

Geoff Pook head of legal services suggests to the Chief Executive Helen Briggs that Councillors will surely treat her in the same way they do Martin Brookes!

The lady asks what does this mean? I can only assume it means send her vile and explicit messages, make death threats and bully and harass her and call her a paedophile, What else could it been?

Rutland County Council say I can complain to the Chief Executive Helen Briggs about this serious breach, now that  is a joke!

It is good to see bully

Mr Terry C King (Conservative) - EXTON WARD (Deputy Leader of the Council) often chuck his rattle out of the pram Mr Pooks says "Terry's e-mail might be another case of where he might be making  to much of a thing"

The Council is shown in further emails to be unsure weather Mr King making a standards complaint about Councillor would be less nuclear than if Helen Briggs raised the complaint.

This document will be used at my Standard Tribunal to point out how for some reason Rutland County Council has treated me in a unknown special way?

Rutland County Council Finds £1 million!

Rutland County Council finds one millions pounds, but this won't stop the cuts.
is published on the front page of today's Rutland Times.

I noticed at Mondays budget meeting there had been changes made to the figures, I did not realise it amounted to this much.

Where did they find it?

How much more money is lost or unaccounted for.

We were told jokingly, Chief Executive Helen Briggs does not keep the cash in her office.

Did they find it up  the leaders shirt, I always wondered about the large bulge.

Public money is nothing to joke about and £1 million is not the petty cash for a council the size of Rutland.

What is going on at Rutland County Council?

Does Helen Briggs know what she is doing? surely she should know how much public money the council is entrusted to keep.

Her home economics degree obviously did not stretch as far as looking after the finances.

She can't remember how much she is paid or how much money has been recovered from Iceland.

"We are lean and mean," enthuses chief executive, Helen Briggs, Rutland County Council

"We are lean and mean," enthuses chief executive Helen Briggs, who lives in Oakham.at the 10th Anniversary of Rutlands Independance,

If Rutland County Council was lean and mean then, what is it now?  Mean and Evil?

Now I understand the reason why these good people give me so much grief.

Good grief why do we put up with this woman.

We were lied to about her pay, by Conservative Council Leader Roger Begy at the public meeting, does he think we are stupid?

All websites that list Council staff who are paid more than our Prime Minister list her as earning £129,000

There is now a huge reduction shown on the Councils own site this year.

Helen Briggs said While 19 of the 26 councillors are Conservatives, Briggs finds it hard to detect party allegiances. She says: "I would describe them as members who are passionate about issues, and not political in a party political sense - passionate about doing the right thing for Rutland."

Has she never looked at the voting records.

And the public are not blind.

I hope the large amount of public who were at lasts nights council meeting remember their comments and vote out this Conservative mob on May 5th

Ex Councillor Mr Jim Harrison in the past said of Rutland County Council:

"I was always against the idea from the outset," he says. "I said it would cost us more money - and so it has. Nothing good has come of it."

Inspector Monks Leicestershire Constabulary dives into the murky pool that is Rutland Conservative Politics.

Inspector Monks Leicestershire Constabulary dives into the murky pool that is Rutland Conservative Politics.

 

Readers may remember an answer phone message I blogged from Inspector (aka Johnny) Monks of Oakham Police Station in November last year. 'Johnny' had suggested he make me an appointment at my doctor's surgery to 'discuss' my 'well being.' I insisted that I needed no such appointment and he had neither my consent nor my agreement to do any such thing. Nevertheless he went ahead and did it. following requests from Councillor Joyce Lucas and Chief Executive of Rutland County Council Helen Briggs and other members of Rutland County Council and their chums.

Obviously I needed to get my medical notes, Inspector Monks' rather disingenuous referral to my GP as supporting evidence of a Data Protection case I intend to bring against Inspector Monks.

As those who have read.Jim Harrison's Teabreak and the recent 'Dave Burton' blogs and twitters or should I say tweets may realise, I have been subjected to assaults, threats and unwanted mail of a funereal variety as well as a death threat specially for new Year and have therefore complained to the police.

Having got a copy of my medical notes it seems that Inspector monks both telephoned and emailed the surgery to make the appointment, in breach of the Data Protection Act, his duty of care to a threatened citizen and no doubt an infringement of his oath to avoid prejudice in the execution of his duties.

I obtained a copy of my medical records and it seems clear that Inspector Monks overstepped the mark and exceeded his authority in making this appointment. I called in at the police station yesterday and spoke to P C Lloyd who telephoned 'Sir' (aka Johnny). Inspector Monks spoke to me on the station telephone saying:

“I've been in the police for 21 years and worked very hard and I hope your complaint won't damage my career.”

Having obtained an authenticated and signed copy of my notes from the surgery I returned to the police station to ask for a face to face meeting with Inspector Monks. He kept me waiting for some considerable time during which and had a very interesting conversation with a dog man who train dogs – see later blogs.

When asked Inspector Monks refused to give me a copy of the email he had sent to the surgery. Why? Although he gave me the name of the Freedom of Information Officer at Enderby, Inspector Monks said:that he didn't believe she would give me a copy of his email either. After I said I would be invoking the Freedom of Information Act to obtain a copy Inspector Monks added: “I'm not sure you'll get it.”

I said: “It looks like you have something to hide.”

Inspector Monks remained adamant and added:

“As a Rutland resident I have a duty of care to allow people to go about without being assaulted. By taking photographs you are putting yourself in a vulnerable position.”

It seems that Oakham is vying with the old cold war Russian gulags in summoning the men in white coats to deal with those who observe, photograph, blog and report on local infringements of the democratic code by Councillors whose commitment to maladministration, illegal parking, drinking in areas they have 'designated,' as well as trashing local gravestones in All Saints Church yard with their 4x4s and their cavalier commitment to alcohol abuse on a grand scale and Oakham have recruited the police chief to ensure that blogs are discouraged by the threat of chemical coshes rather than police coshes. An improvement no doubt on the days when political dissenters could be chucked in the back of a Black Maria.

Inspector Monks did say "those days had gone" on a previous visit "the law did not allow them to act in that ways these days"

Councillor Richard Gales Independent Rutland County Councillors Web Site

Councillor Richard Gales Independent Rutland County Councillors Web Site

Click Here For Mr Gales Web Site

An interesting read.

I wonder if Rutland County Council will ever change its ways?

I am told the History of Rutland County County has always been bleak.

Past Chief Executives have not helped.

I was told one male was a drunken alcoholic.

Another female sexaully harrassed younger male staff?


The current Chief Executive clearly supports a bullying culture that is prevalent at Rutland Rutland County Council.

I refer to Mr Brown Head of operations e-mail, to a member of he public who published public information.

Because she did this he refuses to give her public information as an example.

Rutland County Council Chief Executive Helen Briggs Seek and Hide 2

Rutland County Council Chief Executive Helen Briggs 

Seek and Hide 2

 

Helen Briggs 5 weeks into 

what was then her new job at 

Rutland County Council 

Rutland County Council is still hiding the 2010 bank statements for the £19.6 million of public money that it has stashed away. 

It makes no sense that the public are having to suffer spending cuts when the Council has got so much money on deposit.

Rutland and Melton Conservative Association has set a very good example by putting its bank statements in the public domain. 

Would Rutland County Council please inform us when all of the 2010 bank statements requested on 20 January 2011 will be ready for collection. 

Jo Goodliffe

(Jo, Rutland and Melton Conservative Association may not be aware their statements are available for the public to see)