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wins appeal
Carole Gerada
AN EASTFIELD parish councillor has won an appeal against a decision by Scarborough Council’s Standards Committee.
Cllr Carole Gerada took October’s ruling – which was made following complaints about her conduct and not treating fellow councillors with respect – to the Tribunals Judiciary which rejected the verdict.
She said she was delighted with the outcome “on behalf of residents who had supported me through what had been an extremely stressful and humiliating period”.
“The finding of the tribunal has upheld my appeal on all counts,” she added.
She said that the tribunal had stated the council’s Code of Conduct should not prevent councillors from “raising concerns made on a matter of public interest”.
The Standards Committee had ruled that Cllr Gerada had made serious allegations; the tribunal said that the committee’s ruling was unsupported by any evidence. The committee also heard she had made wide-ranging allegations of “misappropriation and dishonesty” but did not specify a specific allegation, date or manner of communication as to what was said.
In reaching its verdict the tribunal stated that the investigating officer’s report had “strayed well beyond the time frame in both directions” with regards to the complaint and said there was no suggestion that she had revealed confidential matters.
Ian Anderson, the borough council’s head of legal and support services, said that the tribunal’s decision had been noted. He added: “However, as many of the issues raised in the tribunal’s decision may come back for consideration by the Standards Committee, it would be inappropriate to make further comment.”
Cllr Brian Simpson, the chairman of the parish council, said they would continue to operate in an open and democratic manner. He added: “Cllr Gerada has the same access to the same information as any other parish councillor.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 15 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
heavensentmum
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 10:25 PMI'm no fan of Simpson, don't like the way he operates but what he does in his free time is his own business so long as it doesn't interfere with his council work, he's not using our computer to do it and he hasn't got his mates trying to support him on here.
heavensentmum
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 10:25 PMI'm no fan of Simpson, don't like the way he operates but what he does in his free time is his own business so long as it doesn't interfere with his council work, he's not using our computer to do it and he hasn't got his mates trying to support him on here.
Offendedtaxpayer
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 09:58 AMI would agree with post 12, however while I am myself Gay, I must ask why Cllr Simpson practices one thing and does another, if Cllr Simpson is gay, I would like to support him completely, but sending mixed messages is not the right thing, this can lead to mistrust, which from what some of the post on here are saying, will not help his cause, Cllr Simpson, your private life is your Private life, but remember this when you blur work and private life, I would also like to point out, whilst I know of this site, I'm not a member because of it's gross content, and extreme pornographic views and images, something Cllr Simpson might take into consideration when it comes to moral, apart from that, sadly not a way to come out of the closet, but we welcome Cllr Simpson to the gay Scarborough community
ironicorwhat
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 09:32 AM#11 Hmmm perhaps ypu have not noticed but this is the 21st Century, not many people are all that bothered about someones sexuality, or indeed someones private life. There are plenty of sites for both gay, bi and straight people, it is a little homophopic to single out just on which happens to be for gay people.... Just a thought, perhaps you would like to explain why you are busy trawling through gay sites at half one in the morning? Like I say, .... just a thought .... perhaps while the mrs is in bed.. I dont know, what you do is your business... what others do is theres. Oh and if you are an Eastfield resident why not go and look at the books, its quite clear form Cllr Simpsons post that it is normal practise for those with a genuin interest.
Fairforall
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 01:28 AMOk Simpson while we are talking about open and honest please can you explain to us Eastfield residents why you seem be be on a gay sex website http:www.gaydar.co.ukProfileView.asp?userid=.sb20 Proof above
chrisgtk
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 08:43 PMAbsolute rubblish Simpson. Although I'm a relative newcomer to the town you only have to ask the question in the pubs and cafes to get the general feeling that corruption is rife and that local democracy is a myth. This situation would not be tolerated down south looks like apathy rules ok. Here's a thought, why not merge SBC with N Yorks? Save a lot of tax payers money....and get rid of all the council hangers on.
Tim Thorne
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 07:26 PMSBC's Standards Referrals Sub Committee is a joke. I made a complaint about the Council Leader and his wife's expense claims. Both were claiming an expense that should have been claimed by only one of them. The response from the Standards Referrals Sub Committee was less than desirable. They basically tried to sweep the egregious expense claims under the carpet. I wonder if Mr Fox has the gumption to justify his expense claims in public?
Offendedtaxpayer
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 06:46 PMWhat about your own ward expenses Cllr Simpson, are you prepared to reveal what they are, not your parish ones
B Simpson
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 04:46 PMIt is not very often I look or comment in the comments section, however I will say to "Hello Vera" that Eastfield Parish Council has been and always will be a fully open and democratic Council, all matters are debated and voted on in public, all the accounts of the Council are in the public domain both through minutes of the Finance Committee and Full Council itself. Plus if any Eastfield resident wishes to look at the account books all they have to do is make an appointment with the Parish Clerk saying which part of the accounts the wish to see. Many residents have done this before and there is no problem in doing so. I do not intend to debate this or any other matter through the comments section of this web site as for one thing one never actually knows who one is debating with. I intend this post to be a one off. All Eastfield residents are welcome to attend Council meetings held on the last Monday of the Month at Eastfield Community Centre 7.00pm.
smellykipper
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 12:52 PMCan't imagine the standards of the said committe are very high judging on the current council.
TownDog
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 12:34 PMMint photo!
FREE WHITBY
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 12:22 PMTake heart. SBC practices ARE subject to a higher authority. More power to your elbow, Carole.
Offendedtaxpayer
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 12:00 PMWell said Hello Vera, something tells me, your call will fal on deaf ears - his !
Hello Vera
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 11:55 AMSo Councillor Simpson want to operate openly. Does that mean showing the accounts for Eastfield so all can see where the money is going?
Offendedtaxpayer
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 11:47 AMAnother abuse of SBC, interfering, I wonder how much SBC has paid out to defend it's case, sorry how much WE council tax payers have spend, maybe they will deduct it from the cost of iPads, I think not
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