MAUWICE & WODGER GET ELOQUENT ABOUT A STANDARDS COMPLAINT

This is likely to be a long post, so make sure you are sitting comfortably.

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It would seem that finding interesting letters in Tesco bags on Acol Hill continues. I have shown below, two letters that seem to have been sent by 'Our Leader' and His Deputy to all Councillors in TDC on 26 January 2009.

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Rumour has it that copies were also sent to our local press, but were not published. Before you read them (I would suggest that you 'click' on each to read them clearly), let me remind you that an incident ocurred in The Edinburgh Woollen Shop in Margate in June 2008 that resulted in Cllr Iris Johnston making a complaint to Standards at TDC.

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The shop had been running a petition to ask TDC not to deploy wardens and PCSOs to the beaches in the summer but retain their presence in the town. As Ward Councillor, Iris Johnston, at the invitation of the manager and with press in attendance, went along to be handed the petition. Whilst this 'hand-over' was taking place, the incident, to still be finally resolved by Standards, took place, because without invitation but presumably as a result of a 'tip-off', The Leader of The Council with his Deputy in attendance, burst into the shop.

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Why, you might ask, did they think that what was happening, had anything to do with them and what were their motives for interrupting a petition 'hand-over' to a Ward Councillor in her own Ward?

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What was of interest was that two Thanet 'Press' reporters were present and presumably have given an unbiased and accurate report to Standards on what took place. (If you have resisted the temptation so far, to read these letters, now would be a good time to do so; remember to click on them!)

My first thought on reading these two letters, was their timing. It would seem that Standards had moved through Stages 1, 2 and 3 which was completed in November 2008. (See an earlier post about the 4 Stages). Why issue these letters prior to Stage 4? What was the motive behind them? Is it just me, or is it coincidental that the idea of bringing in a Cabinet of 7 and a host of 'paid' (but not paid) 'Lead Members' for portfolios from The Tory Cllr 'Back Benches' now gives 'Our Leader' a large majority among the Tory Councillors, who are now 'beholden' to support him?

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I digress.

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For those who know Cllr Ezekiel's literary efforts, his letter smacks of a draft from a 'legal advisor'; is not an unreserved apology to Cllr Johnston and has been sent publicly to 7 members of The Standards Committee (the TDC Cllr members) and has it also found its way to the 4 non Cllr members (including The Chair of Standards) and the 3 Parish Cllr members?

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They have been typed?, photocopied and distributed by TDC staff and on official TDC Paper when I would have thought private letters (in the capacity of Cllrs only) would have been more appropriate.

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Other than what might be considered the grovelling obeisance to The Standards Committee in Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Cllr Ezeliel's letter, what concerns me most is the sentence in Paragraph 5 that is 'echoed' in Paragraph 3 of Cllr Latchford's letter:

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"However, I do not believe it is in the public interest, or the maintenance of effective working relationships between the Council's political groups to prolong consideration of this issue." (Cllr Ezekiel).

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" I share the Leader's view that further consideration of this matter is not in the Council's interest and that WE (my capitals) have a responsibility to conclude this matter as rapidly and amicably as possible." (Cllr Latchford)

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Who is Cllr Latchford including in the 'WE'? Surely it is up to The Standards Committee to deal with this matter impartially and without prejudice, based on the evidence it has considered, and then to come to an appropriate decision? This issue is about whether conduct by Cllrs Ezekiel and Latchford was inappropriate and is not a 'Council interest.'

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I am horrified that they both link this issue about their personal conduct on that day, with Thanet District Council's 'Interest'! Maybe its time for them to realise that Thanet District Council is an elected body of Councillors and actually, as such, is bigger and more important than their temporary positions as present Leader and Deputy, or the present difficulties they may have in regard to their own conduct.!

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Before, I leave you to consider this matter in your own time, you may wish to consider the 'Guidance' in such matters to Councils from The Standard's Board of England. It is my understanding that 'Guidance' advises that if Stage 1 (Assessment - Is There a case to answer?)finds that there is, where a Leader or Deputy or prominent members of a Council are involved, the matter could be referred to The Standard's Board of England and for obvious reasons.

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The key issue is whether the public see TDC Standards handling this matter with transparency and fairness without any undue influence being exerted in any way by any party to the matter. My understanding is that Stage 4 (Hearing. Where the Investigation has found a failure to comply) will take place at 5.00pm on Monday 16th March and will be held in PUBLIC. I will attempt to find out on Monday, if this is the case and where it will be held and what steps will be taken to ensure WE THE PUBLIC, can attend should we so wish.

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Whatever the outcome, on Monday 16th March, I wonder when our majority of Tory Councillors will eventually consider if they are really happy with The Leadership of TDC? Only they have the power to remove 'Mauwice' & 'Wodger' prior to elections in 2011.