Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear it just gets worse and worse at Wirral Council. When oh when will these people learn ? Lord and Lady Wirral Leaks find themselves aghast yet again at the behaviour of senior officers at a local authority that’s still being run like some sort of private members club. Are they arrogant or stupid, we think possibly both as this shameful behaviour seems to trundle along unabated, no matter who is in charge.
As our gardener Eldritch said, with his usual earthy vigour “Why not name and shame the f**king greedy f**king bast**rds – Indeed!
Observe this report in the Liverpool Echo
“SENIOR officers from Wirral Council accepted “freebies” worth thousands of pounds without properly declaring them, a damning new report has revealed.”
Here’s the rather shocking details from the Audit report
Nine out of thirteen personal files did not comply with procedures and there was generally insufficient information to assess whether gifts and hospitality had been considered in line with guidance. The key issues are noted below.
■ A senior officer accepted hospitality to Chester races and noted this in the register; this had not been signed by the chief officer on the register; there was no M17 declaration form to support this on the personal file. There were a number of other M17 declarations on the personal file that were not entered in the register and had been self approved by the officer. Procedures were not complied with and there was insufficient information to assess whether the hospitality was considered in line with guidance.
■ An officer accepted a lottery ticket and noted this in the register; there was a supporting M17 declaration. Procedures were complied with but there is no evidence that this was considered in line with guidance.
■ A senior officer accepted honorary membership for West Kirby Sailing Club; this was signed on the register by his deputy; no value was noted although annual membership is currently £226 per annum; there was no M17 declaration form to support this on the personal file. There was a M17 declaration on the file for a golf event that had not been entered on the register. Procedures were not complied with and there was insufficient information to assess whether the hospitality was considered in line with guidance.
■ An officer accepted tickets to Liverpool Philharmonic; there was no M17 declaration form to support this on the personal file. Procedures were not complied with and there was insufficient information to assess whether the hospitality was considered in line with guidance.
■ A senior officer accepted a European Cup match ticket at Old Trafford; there was no M17 declaration form to support this on the personal file. There were further entries on the register that were not supported by a declaration form. The same senior officer also accepted a ticket for a rugby match at Twickenham; this was noted on a M17 declaration but the form was not approved by the officer’s line manager. Procedures were not complied with and there was insufficient information to assess whether the hospitality was considered in line with guidance.
■ A senior officer accepted a number of instances of hospitality including golf and also a flight, accommodation and meals amounting to £2,000; there were no M17 declarations to support these items. Procedures were not complied with and there was insufficient information to assess whether the hospitality was considered in line with guidance.
And what of Social Services ? We’ll let Eldritch tell you
“Still fooking shite”
http://www.wirralnews.co.uk/wirral-news/local-wirral-news/west-wirral-news/tm_headline=social-services-move-to-combat-8216-failings-8217%26method=full%26objectid=31859009%26siteid=80491-name_page.html
Wirralleaks 