Secret meeting over council boss branded “an absolute nonsense” (From Hereford Times)
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Secret meeting over Herefordshire Council's new chief executive branded “an absolute nonsense”
8:50am Monday 24th September 2012 in News By Paul Broome
Current chief executive Chris Bull leaves the council next month
THE decision to discuss Herefordshire Council ’s highly-paid new chief executive position in secret session has been branded “an absolute nonsense”.
It’s Our County leader Councillor Mark Hubbard told an employment panel, sitting before a private discussion into Chris Bull’s replacement, that he couldn’t understand why such talks should be held behind closed doors.
The Hereford Times was at the initial debate but had to leave the chamber after a majority of councillors voted to discuss the issue in private.
“I can see no reason why the public interest is outweighed by keeping it private,” said Coun Hubbard.
He told the panel that he had read the report and could see no reason why all matters were being kept from the public.
“It is an absolute nonsense,” he added.
“It is the future of the organisation here, a chief executive post. There is huge interest in the issue.”
Coun Hubbard now intends to put the issue of secret sessions to the council’s overview and scrutiny committee.
Current chief executive Chris Bull, whose salary last year was £183,724, is set to leave the council next month. A decision on the top job could go into 2013.
- Elsewhere, new figures released this week have revealed the full cost of county councillor expenses and the price of "exit packages".
Comments(3)
Gillian1961
says...
4:13pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Themightyboosh
says...
9:14pm Mon 24 Sep 12
i would get the sack.
and never forget that we the public employ you the favored few to work in our interests.
it should be a rule that if they wish to discuss things that concern us in private. they need to submit a valid reason why in advance.
bobby47 says...
2:48pm Mon 24 Sep 12
Quite how our leadership can swiftly raise a finger and then say to the Hereford Times Reporter, 'Out you go. This is not for you and the public to know or hear about' is beyond our comprehension.
To our Council leaders, who I'm sure are still reading our postings I'd say, reflect upon your decision making because each and every one you make, drives us, the readers to despair. Your decisions are chaotic and you appear to lurch from one disaster to another. Thats poor leadership!
Make no mistake, our City is on the fast track to ruin and you all have played a part in our demise. I would say to you all,start being open and explain why we need to be kept in the dark over who the Chief Executive is going to be and how much of our money is paid to acquire his or her services. Dont treat us like fools.
My warmest regards to you all.