By Carole Dennett
A councillor has challenged the chief executive of the Isle of Wight Council over the handling of a draft land disposal policy paper, and claiming there has been a lack of transparency.
In a strongly-worded email, Cllr Peter Spink criticised council CEO, Wendy Perera, for what he described as a failure to respond to repeated concerns over the draft policy on land disposal. He alleged the document was not consistent with the direction agreed at a full council meeting and questioned whether this had been an accident, describing it as “a matter of considerable importance.”
He wrote: “It is difficult to conclude that the policy was drafted in this way ‘accidentally’… This is an established modus operandi of this council — to delay until the matter becomes stale and forgotten,” adding that it was “neither open nor transparent.”
Cllr Spink also said he had “no confidence whatsoever” that an internal investigation promised by Ms Perera would be impartial, accusing her of pre-judging the issue in correspondence with the Policy, Finance and Resources Committee. He also objected to being excluded from an email she sent to the committee’s members in which, he claims, his conduct was called into question.
In her reply, Ms Perera said it was important there was mutual trust between officers and members, and reminded Cllr Spink that staffing matters fall under her remit as Head of Paid Service. She said she would review how the draft policy had deviated from the full council’s resolution and would speak to the relevant officers and consider whether any action was necessary.
Ms Perera also raised concern over the wide circulation of Cllr Spink’s email, which he said was because he did not agree with her that the “matter should be kept secret”. She claimed it could be perceived as an attempt to undermine officer credibility and exert pressure.
