Cheshire East Council will make a final decision this week as to whether to disclose the report into the Lyme Green fiasco.
One of our readers requested a copy of the report of the Designated Independent Person in relation to Lyme Green under the Freedom of Information Act.
The Council has extended the 20 working day limit to to consider the public interest in disclosure - however, they have said they are unlikely to release the report because it contains personal data relating to a number of individuals which would lead to a breach of data protection if released into the public domain.
They also said that disclosure of the information to the public would constitute a breach of confidence, actionable by the person from whom it was obtained, and be likely to prejudice ongoing investigation proceedings.
The FOI response states "The Council notes that there is a general principle of openness and transparency in public affairs and that the matter is one of significance for local people. I can confirm that these factors will be taken into account and weighed in the balance when examining the public interests engaged in this matter and in reaching a final decision.
"This case is complex and sensitive and it is therefore crucial that full and proper consideration of the balance of the public interest takes place."
The Council's aborted plans to build a recycling station at Lyme Green Depot in Macclesfield have cost Cheshire East taxpayers in excess of £800,000, they broke planning rules, as the main contractor commenced work on the site before planning permission had been granted, and officers did not comply with EU Procurement Regulations.
The report by a Designated Independent Person (DIP) into the causes of the failure of the Lyme Green development project, was completed and passed to the Council's staffing sub committee for consideration in December.
Later that week two senior officers (John Nicholson, Strategic Director Places and Organisational Capacity, and Caroline Elwood, Borough Solicitor), whose actions were examined by the DIP, resigned. This was followed by the resignation of Cabinet member Councillor Rod Menlove, who was responsible for this area as Environment Portfolio Holder, and the suspension of Lisa Quinn, the Director of Finance and Business Services.
The concerned resident also requested information, under the Freedom of Information Act, about the costs that have been incurred since the appointment of the Designated Independent Person.
Cheshire East responded "I would inform you these costs have not been determined whilst the Council is still in negotiation with the company that provided this service."
Cheshire East Council will make a final decision about releasing the DIP report by Friday, 15th February.
Comments
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Only then can we draw conclusions and see if the management restructure proposed by Cllr Jones is merited and whether it will truly lead to a better council; or whether it is simply a rather risky cost cutting exercise that will lead to worse services for residents.