Chief Operating Officer of Cheshire East Council suspended

by Lisa Reeves

Monday 4^th December 2017

Mon 4^th Dec 2017

Cheshire East Council has decided to suspend their Chief Operating Officer Peter Bates following concerns about his conduct.

Concerns were raised earlier this year over the conduct of one or more senior officers at Cheshire East Council.

The Investigation and Disciplinary Committee met on Monday, 10th and Tuesday 11th April, to discuss the issues raised.

Following the meetings Cheshire East Council confirmed that a decision has been taken to suspend Mike Suarez the Chief Executive of Cheshire East Council while an independent investigation is undertaken.

At the time the Council would not disclose any details regarding the nature of the concerns raised about officer conduct or whether the committee was investigating the conduct of any other officers.

However, Cheshire East Council's investigation and disciplinary committee reconvened today (Monday, 4th December) to further consider concerns about officer conduct.

Following this meeting the Council has confirmed that the committee reviewed its previous decisions regarding the Chief Operating Officer and a decision has been taken to suspend him.

The chairman of the investigation and disciplinary committee, said: "We would stress that suspension is a neutral act taken in the interests of both the council and the individual. It would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this stage."

A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said "Appropriate arrangements will be put in place to ensure that the responsibilities of this role are covered."

Tags:: Cheshire East Council, Peter Bates

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Jon Williams

Monday 4^th December 2017 at 8:12 pm

Bring back Cheshire County Council (quick).

Bob Bracegirdle

Tuesday 5^th December 2017 at 4:01 pm

There certainly seems to be an excessive number of problems at this Council. Not like the quiet old days of the 50s and 60s.

Jinnie Edwards

Tuesday 5^th December 2017 at 4:33 pm

Presumably, Peter Bates will join the ever growing list of C East's officers who are 'suspended' - it would be interesting to know how much these employees of Cheshire East are actually paid whilst on suspension.

There are so many better ways that this money could be used; although no doubt the Council Tax money paid by the occupants of the 1000s of new houses being built across
C East will plug some of the holes in the Council's economy. Maybe this is why the 5-year plan has taken so long to be published and why a lot of our green fields and open countryside have been swallowed up by new estates

Adrian Scott

Tuesday 5^th December 2017 at 4:53 pm

This appears to add strength to the "Put C E C in special measures" campaign. Do this lot really think they have the public's confidence ? Absolutely not !!!!

Duncan Herald

Thursday 7^th December 2017 at 9:32 am

I have no idea as to whether this chap and the other suspended people are guilty and if so guilty of what.
But there does seem to be a lack of 'innocent until found guilty'; if you remember that!
Xmas is here, so a touch of charity wouldn't come amiss ?

Kathryn Blackburn

Sunday 10^th December 2017 at 12:24 pm

At Duncan. Bah Humbug !

Sunday 10^th December 2017 at 6:16 pm

Hi Kathryn,

Arctic Monkeys fan then ?

Tuesday 12^th December 2017 at 8:48 am

Dickens just turned over Duncan.