Allegations that staff are “scared to work at Warwickshire County Council” on Reform UK’s watch were at the centre of another bitter row with fired-up leader George Finch asking: “Where’s your evidence?”
Councillor Nicki Scott (Green, Warwick South) fired a question at Councillor Finch (Reform UK, Bedworth Central) in the context of chief executive Monica Fogarty’s formal complaint against him resulting in a conduct hearing the day before last week’s meeting of full council.
A solicitor-led investigation found that Cllr Finch had breached the county’s code of conduct but he was cleared by two out of three county councillors on a panel set up to decide his fate.
Culture of bullying and harassment
In her question to the leader, Cllr Scott said it had been dismissed for “technical reasons” and claimed the issues stretch beyond the authority’s leading staff member. She said:
It is clear that there is a growing culture of bullying and harassment at Warwickshire County Council that began when the current administration was formed.
I know that officers at all levels are scared. This is not about local government reorganisation or national issues, I have officers contacting me on a weekly basis citing concerns around bullying, harassment and specific and unreasonable attacks on how some officers choose to live their lives.
Officers are scared to work at Warwickshire County Council. It is a basic human need to have psychological safety in the workplace and that does not extend to county council staff at the moment.
She asked Cllr Finch to “accept that the persistent criticism of council officers” had contributed to “reduced staff morale, increased sickness absence and difficulties in retaining experienced staff.”
Citing his comments around metaphorically placing ‘boots on necks’ to get things done, she asked what action would be taken to demonstrate support for staff.
Cllr Finch disputes the claims
Cllr Finch insisted “there was no technicality” involved in him being cleared by the panel before launching into the other issues.
Again, you got it wrong and I will educate you on the facts.
That type of rhetoric, again, creates that environment for that to fester. You saying what you are saying is causing the problem, unfortunately. Maybe just turn that down a little bit, please.
He said the claims were untrue, quoting figures that suggested staff retention had improved and that sickness levels compared favourably with West Midlands counterparts.
He continued:
If you’re going to ask questions, get it right.
It wastes everyone’s time and it doesn’t make, you know, people look like they know what type of questions they are asking.
You cannot keep coming here claiming this stuff. Time and time again, councillors from these groups keep claiming all this type of stuff. You’re the ones making this happen, you’re the ones that are putting this in people’s heads, where’s your evidence? Where is your evidence of this?
You can sit here and talk the talk, it gets put in the local press by the lefty media – smack bang headline – but every single complaint that I have had so far has not been upheld. You’ve got no evidence.
You just sit there and don’t actually have any grounds to talk upon which is such a shame. I’d remind the chamber that these are opinions, not facts, and it is made again by similar people that have no grounds to speak about this issue.
Cllr Scott vows to stand by staff members
Cllr Scott said his response had “demonstrated exactly that behaviour” that she had alleged and vowed to stand by staff.
While officers continue to come to me to complain about how they are feeling, (to say) that they are scared, frightened and that they don’t feel welcome at Warwickshire County Council anymore, then I will stand up and defend them.
They are here to do the best for Warwickshire and I know that the vast majority are trying to do that but no one wants to work in an environment where they don’t feel safe and protected.
“Not a single complaint” – no, he is still facing two after the previous two
“I think it is important to say I haven’t had a single complaint,” said Cllr Finch, fighting back laughter at the puzzled looks he was faced with from opposition councillors – he is still fighting two sets of code of conduct complaints having been found to have breached the code by two separate external investigations, only for councillor-led standards panels to overturn those rulings following lengthy hearings.
“In relation to this issue,” he clarified through a smile.
An angry Cllr Scott jumped in: “I’d like you to get your facts straight, George Finch.”
Cllr Finch added:
Remember, we’re asking questions calmly.
The question you have asked is completely incorrect. The complaints I have had are not from staff that you are claiming have come to you as this beacon of hope.
With respect, we work with officers more than you do as the administration. We have some fantastic officers who work with us every single day and you are saying that loads of officers are coming to you, Councillor Nicki Scott, they’re coming to you.
I find that wrong. I don’t find that true and I think you are again manipulating and increasing these facts that you believe are facts but are not.
By Local Democracy Reporter Andy Mitchell.
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