Gloucester councillors meet behind closed doors as director remains suspended
COUNCILLORS met behind closed doors as the suspension of the city council's regeneration boss ran in to a fifth month.
The Citizen understands Phil Staddon's enforced absence from his top job at Gloucester City Council may soon be resolved, but members of the organisational development committee remained tight-lipped on the situation.
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North Warehouse
Council regeneration director Mr Staddon has been suspended from his £85,000-a-year post over allegations connected to an investigation into nepotism at the authority.
A special meeting of the committee was held before Wednesday's cabinet meeting with only one agenda item, an update on staffing – with public and press excluded.
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Members of the committee were barred from revealing what the update concerned.
One city council worker said speculation is "rife", but they had not heard whether Mr Staddon was coming back to work or not.
"There is £300,000 identified in the budget consultation for savings from senior management, which would be at least a management post," they said.
"We have no idea whether he is returning though."
Mr Staddon was suspended in October after three others were suspended – since then, one was dismissed, one resigned, and another was ticked off.
Mr Staddon's interim replacement is understood to be costing the council £700 a day.
Two other council workers were dismissed subsequently over unrelated allegations of nepotism, it is understood.
An external investigator and police were called in to probe allegations made in anonymous letters that managers appointed staff and consultants without going through the proper processes.
The external investigator was also asked to look into allegations levelled at Mr Staddon, which are understood to be linked to the original allegations, and not the claims made in the anonymous letters.
Mr Staddon declined to comment when approached by The Citizen yesterday.
8 Comments
by FreeRadical1
Saturday, February 09 2013, 2:56PM
“Just how long does it take to investigate this issue? Either there is evidence against him, in which case he should be sacked without payment, or there isn't, in which case he should be reinstated and the replacement let go.”
by MrGarnet
Friday, February 08 2013, 9:01PM
“The "Cuts" need to be turned into "Chops" regarding these people what are they doing for us the people who have to pay!”
by xlitho
Friday, February 08 2013, 8:34PM
“Secrets?”
by SandraPee
Friday, February 08 2013, 3:27PM
“His replacement id costing us £700 a DAY .......is that 5 days a week ? How much has this fiasco cost taxpayers so far ? Anyone else would have had the sack !”
by SELINA30
Friday, February 08 2013, 12:11PM
“Who agreed the salary?”
by raidermanuk
Friday, February 08 2013, 11:19AM
“Just to rub salt in the wound I bet he was suspended on full pay. Mr Staddon will probably be sunning himself on a beach somewhere enjoying his £1634 per week!”
by honslknjklyt
Friday, February 08 2013, 9:45AM
“And this is what we pay our taxes for?
Absolutely smacks in the face of right and wrong.”
by gloscityguy
Friday, February 08 2013, 9:12AM
“£700 a day
are they all living on another fu*£&ng planet??”