I sent a Freedom of Information request to all local authorities in Leicestershire recently, asking for details of complaints made by officers against elected members.

I understand that formal complaints can be made through the local standards board, but I wanted details of internal complaints.

Surprisingly, all but one of the authorities questioned got back to me to say there were no records of such incidents in the past three years.

What utter rubbish.

I’ve been around political journalism long enough to know that there are, unfortunately, a very small minority of councillors who use their power and position to browbeat officers.

On my last patch, a metropolitan council, an opposition councillor was notorious for bringing female staff members to tears with his arrogant outbursts. His “power” had gone to his head.

I’ve seen examples here in Leicester of members being impolite to officers in public – I don’t believe that there has only been a single recorded incident of that behaviour going too far in private.

So back to the issue – the only council which coughed-up and said it had a recorded incident was Oadby and Wigston, and the incident in question was in the last municipal year.

Here’s their emailed response:

There was one allegation of bullying initially made, but this was not pursued by the complainant. We consider that to provide the name of the Councillor and the rank and department of the complainant is exempt under Section 42 of the Freedom of Information Act in that this amounts to personal data from which persons can be identified … The particular complaint was of a single incident and complainant had not indicated they wished it to be taken as a formal complaint.

So, what do you know? Can you identify the councillor in question?

What was the bullying incident which was seemingly serious enough to be reported, yet frivolous enough to be quickly withdrawn?

Email me on davidmaclean@leicestermercury.co.uk


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