City Council refuses to release critical report
NOTTINGHAM city council is refusing to hand over a draft report that is highly critical of the authority and Labour leader Jon Collins.
The document cost tax payers almost £30,000 but was never circulated to officers and councillors.
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The report cost nearly £30,000
The council has repeatedly refused requests to disclose the document and information relating to it. These requests have been made by the Evening Post and Lib Dem councillor Tony Sutton.
The former deputy chief executive Adrienne Roberts commissioned the report but it was spiked before being finalised.
Adrienne Roberts and Coun Collins saw the final draft by external consultants, Hardmoor Associates.
Coun Sutton said: "Why shouldn't I be able to view the document itself, the brief given to the consultant, correspondence with him, and the legal advice obtained by the council, on this matter? It is a disgraceful situation. I am going to raise this at the next full council meeting."
In refusing a request under the Freedom of Information Act for correspondence about the report, a senior council officer said: "The information is highly sensitive and goes to the core of the management of the authority."
The criticisms in the documents are believed to be similar to those made by the Audit Commission in 2007 and 2008.
Last year, the watchdog said problems relating to relationships and culture are one of two major challenges facing the authority.
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by MadBadger, The Sett
Thursday, February 19 2009, 5:50PM
“Marian. I do not know what the purpose of the report was or why it is not being released.
It's quite clear from posts on here from biased posters that they will assume the worst reason for it not being released.
Me, I'm not given to idle speculation.”
by marian, Notts
Thursday, February 19 2009, 11:16AM
“Thanks for your reply madbad.
What do you think can be the reason for this document since it seems that hardly anyone is allowed to seeit?
Hope I'm being clear....and of course you may not know...”
by dr jones, sneinton
Thursday, February 19 2009, 8:30AM
“I hope this is the catalyst that finally sees an end to councillor collins stint running our city. His policies of putting all the money into the city center (im sorry £7 million to flatten the market square is a disgrace) and not the surrounding urban areas which are falling apart is seriously letting this city down.
Every year he raises council tax, and claims its nessecary which is deplorable when you look at how much money is wasted by this council on getting rid of employees who dont tow his line.
It cracked me up the other week when he was saying how happy he was that he'd faught for and got us such cheap bus fares....has he seen how much theyve risen to, and how cheap it is to get a bus in cities like derby etc
Councillor "king" jon collins regime seems insistant on charging the people of this city more money in any way it can (cogestion charge,parking tax,rising council tax) and he needs to be stopped before business leave and unemployment rises further.
Iim actually considering voting conservative for the first time ever...just to try and get him out, and that makes me sick. But thats how poor a job hes done in this city. This is one further disgrace for the score board.”
by Brian, Mansfield
Thursday, February 19 2009, 12:03AM
“How can they refuse to release the information in this report if someone requests it under the Freedom of Information Act. I thought they could only refuse if it related to matters of National Security.”
by mg, st ann's
Wednesday, February 18 2009, 11:38PM
“we all know if the report said the council and it's cronies were doing a great job they would have sent a copy to each and every building in the city, but obviously it doesn't so they try to hide the fact by not allowing it to be published! no surprise there then eh? JON COLLINS YOUR DAYS ARE NUMBERED!!!!”