WEALDEN DISTRICT COUNCIL

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Wealden's Crest - photo courtesy HSUK

 

 

What cost to the country incompetence?  Sloppiness and Negligence?

 

 

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING RELOCATING TO WEALDEN YOU MAY WANT TO KNOW MORE OF THE ADMINISTRATION THAN THE COUNCIL WILL LET ON :

  • The residents of Wealden District Council (WDC) are obliged to pay one of the highest rate levies in the country.  

  • This council's Monitoring Officer refuses to report his administrative errors and other reported injustices to the members of the council as required by law.  Ignorance is bliss for the councillors and hell for the electorate.

  • This council has been found guilty of maladministration several times since 1989.

  • This council has been severely criticised by Planning Inspectors, the County Court and the High Court for its unreasonable behaviour.

  • Nolan Committee recommend no council officer serves more than 5 years to prevent cosy relationships forming.  In Wealden DC most senior officers have served 15 years or more and enjoy working with outside consultants, who employ ex council officers.  Clearly, this is a recipe for disaster

  • Nolan Committee recommend new crime "misfeasance in public office" should be added to the statute books.

  • Some cases would be so damaging to this council, if they came into the public domain, this council have obtained gagging orders when settling claims of compensation.

 

 

 

COMMENT: INSTITUTIONALISED DISCRIMINATION IS APPARENT

 

Until the safety net is restored with a fully functional Monitoring Officer, so that members may know the true scale of the impropriety within the Planning and Legal departments, ratepayers money will continue to be squandered to cover up the facts, money going to preserve the jobs of professional staff unwilling to admit their mistakes and keen to hang in there for an enhanced early retirement.

 

Members who challenge officers on any issue will find themselves the subject of embarrassing rebukes, formal letters from officers reminding them of their duties, etc.  The plain fact is, the officers work for the Members and the Members represent the electorate.  All too often we find cases where officers have accused Members of impropriety in public, to eliminate these members from the decision making process.  It works because the Member so accused is then forced to declare an interest and excuse himself.  This tactic is adopted when an officer is about to be exposed and is a last resort.  However, these tactics are also contrary to the Council's constitution, where such public accusations hardly boost public confidence in the integrity of the Council.  It's got to stop!

 

 

 

Read Nelson's incredible story: How this council wasted half a £ million of 

ratepayers money trying to avoid their duty to protect a valuable historic building

 

 

The Councillors below meet together as a Full Council several times a year.  During these assemblies they decide the Council's overall policies and budgets.  The Council's Chairman, Vice Chairman and Leader are elected annually.  A Cabinet comprising 8 members is appointed by the Leader's recommendation, which group takes major decisions the Council may take.  Other Committees are also formed to decide various issues such as waste management and planning control.  You may ask a PUBLIC QUESTION if you put in your request in good time and the Council must respond in public and confirm their response in writing.

 

Policies are implemented through the Chief Executive and six Chief Officers who manage the departments and services the Council provides.  Therefore, it is essential that Councillors appoint officers fit to carry out their duties.

 

The Development Control Sub-Committees (North and South) meet on a four weekly basis to determine planning applications and deal with other development control functions.

This Council employs around 600 staff in offices at Crowborough and Hailsham.  

 

YOUR RIGHTS

 

Citizens have a number of rights in their dealings with the Council.  They may ask public questions, enquire of the Monitoring Officer as to the legality of any decision, action or refusal to take action - as in the case of Anne Harris, where this council were found guilty of failing to protect this vulnerable farmer.  You may lobby the members and these members, seen below, have a duty to properly investigate issues.  You will find some members less than useless, you may get fobbed off, told lies, etc.  Occasionally though, you will find a very active councillor.  In fact, there are more members than ever, prepared to ask awkward questions and get to the truth of a matter - despite officers fudging replies and misleading them.

 

For further detailed information on how the Council operates download a copy of the new Constitution (pdf file - 236kb) or contact Martyn Garrett, Member Services Manager on 01892 602433 or e mail: martyn.garrett@wealden.gov.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

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THIS SITE CONTAINS MANY EXAMPLES OF THIS COUNCIL'S UNREASONABLE BEHAVIOUR - With thanks to Action Groups across the country for the supply of real case history and supporting documents.  *THAT THE PUBLIC MAY KNOW*

   

 

Vicarage Lane, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AX T: 01323 443322
Pine Grove, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 1DH T: 01892 653311

 

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