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At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - George Jones (2nd Feb 2011 - 14:42:37) I have been informed that at least £ 23,500 OF PUBLIC MONEY has been illegallly paid to a member of staff!!! We were informed at the last Parish Council meeting that a second direct payment has been made to a member of staff, thus making the total payment £ 11,000. If this is not enough this member of staff has enjoyed 4 months of " Gardening Leave" and legal expenses to boot! The conservative costing to us in the Parish for "GARDENING LEAVE", is at least another £ 12,500!! Thus the grand total to date of misuse of public money is at least £23,500!!! To put the cherry on the top this member of staff [text removed - see editor comment below]. And our great Chairman expects us to draw a line You must be joking!! This will not be forgotten.

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - Editor (3rd Feb 2011 - 12:46:51) We have received an email today from the Clerk of the Parish Council (which they claim we can't publish) requesting that data in the above post that linked the comments to an individual employee were removed. We have done as requested, although we believe that the information is clearly in the public domain, and not a 'data protection' issue as claimed by the clerk.

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - Bill Ratcliffe (5th Feb 2011 - 10:03:28) Whatever the rights and wrongs of this case are, it is a reflection of how Public bodies treat with contempt the money they take from the pockets of hardworking families. What has happened in Liphook only reflects what is happeninging at the National level, where statutory bodies can just increase the Council Tax or increase VAT or Income Tax to dip their hands into our pockets. They then fritter the money away because they are incompetent to run anything and would never be able to flourish in a commercial environment. From MP's expenses to QUANGOs to Parish Coucils, this self-serving system is a disgrace to our Country.

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - Sue W (5th Feb 2011 - 23:45:06) Am I completely missing something?? If the Parish Clerk is so unhappy and upset that he has to continually send off letters of complaint about 'certian' elected Councillors, how he is treated, how they behave towards him - gets £1000's in settlement, Calls in the civilian police (as this was not a council matter) who go to a public place (in front of other public people) and request that a certain councillor attend the Alton station to answer questions about a very dubious situation after a council meeting, receives, so it seems irregular payments that are not authorised (by the few that did) - full paid Gardeners leave, with a full paid replacement Why he has not left and said good ribbons to the lot of you. I certainly would have! Perhaps this is just too easy money?? Plus someone - who we never got to the bottom of - sets up an investigation (writes a complaint to an official body) to investigate if a certain councillor has spoken out of confidence to other liphook businesses people- which by the way this gentleman was extreamly pushy to get a result he wanted - the parish chairman (Nigel Newman)declaired it was nothing to do with them and it was not their investingation,and held no letter on file in their office and would not entertain any helpfulness in the slightest. It was a very kind lady in the offfice that apologised for the poor communication from the Chairman that provided the name and contact address for us. .'This Gentleman ' from this outside body has attended a meeting on the side of the council' - so was very well known to Mr Newman - which beggers the question why was he being so unhelpful - are they not there to help their parishioners and local businesses - perhaps, but not if its not in their interest to do so. He knew who he was and what he was investigating and wrote a load of tosh. It might not have been the 'Councils investigation' but he knew all the details and who had originated it; had the contact address and name of this person!! Lots of ?????

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - TIM BOOKER (6th Feb 2011 - 20:10:52) To pick up on Sue's and Bill's comments, I do think that the Parishioners are being treated with contempt and scorn by certain longterm serving councillors. I think that the likes of Cllr Anna James and her close colleague Nigel Newman has a lot to answer to. Looking at the other comments on this site and after attending a few of the council meetings now, there are certain questions that need answering:- Why are Councillor Anna James & Cllr Nigel Newman so passionate about building a Gospel Hall for 600 people, as if it were important priority for the Village?? Especially, as I understand, there are less than 30 Gospel members in the village! As highlighted by a fellow parishioner in last months council meeting, why has the council given £1000's without any independent investigation to the Cllr Anna James cousin? Why are parishioners being threatened if they speak out and question anything? I noted the comment about "heavies" being invited along by certain councillor/s to try and shut people up. At least we have their names now! This is a sign, I fear that there is a lot being covered up. Unfortunately, I think that there must be an element of "self serving" for councillors involved to go to these measurers

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - Michael (7th Feb 2011 - 09:35:30) If these so called ' heavies' are the people named, wrongly in my opinion, they are stalwarts of the village and all been around for at least 45 years to my knowledge so have as much right as anyone to be at these meetings. Yes they may look different and dress diferrent to me but actually speak they same language as taught at same village schools as me!

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - jennie (7th Feb 2011 - 16:01:17) There is obviously very strong feelings about the problems within the parish council by liphook residents and i was wondering if we need an independant inquiry into the accounts etc Also why are we as council tax payers paying for something someone is supposed to have said to upset the clerk why isnt that individual paying the compensation after all it was his own views he was saying we didnt ask him to say it???

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - Susan W (7th Feb 2011 - 19:23:04) Jennie From your post 'Also why are we as council tax payers paying for something someone is supposed to have said to upset the clerk why isnt that individual paying the compensation after all it was his own views he was saying we didnt ask him to say it??? ' ---------------------------------------------------------------- What was actually said none of us know - and another councillor has said on talkback that they were the nearest and did not hear anything. Was it his own views or just asking a question? What I have grasped is that he was not in 'Council' time, the meeting had officially ended so why do you think he was speaking of behalf of parishioners? As individuals we have a right to free speech and any person entitled to challange what is said. The Police were not called in by the Council - so if the 'upset' party felt it necessary or so traumatised to follow this up by contacting the Police they could have gone for a civil court proceedure, they would have to initially pay and if the victor the accused would have to pay costs and damages. If the looser of the case the 'upset' party would pay costs. Just dont see why the council should be involved at all - and certainly not paying because of it. If the council have paid monies out in 'compensation' over this - you need to find out why?

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - Bill Ratcliffe (7th Feb 2011 - 19:23:47) A good point, Jennie. I wonder if the Parish Councillors would be so willing to pay up thousands of pounds from their own pockets. This is wasted money that could have been spent for the good of Liphook. There must be charity organisations who could have done with even a few hundred pounds.

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - jennie (7th Feb 2011 - 22:10:01) to susan w if it was as you say not in council time (meeting had finished) then why are the parish council paying anything at all i'm toatally confused now

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - Helen millard (7th Feb 2011 - 22:35:43) charity organisation that need it? the parish needs it! we need money for many improvements to the village!!

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - Susan W (8th Feb 2011 - 10:00:32) Jennie Absolutely right the council should not be spending public money to the extent it has now and in the past ......... Ask qustions - and why/how did this particular subject become public - It did not come from the councillor? I first read about this in the Herald - cant remember if it was the 'agreeved party' or after a meeting when it was raised - do not know who first took it to a public level - perhaps someone can clarify?

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - Sharon (8th Feb 2011 - 12:35:39) Can we have a vote of no confidence in our Parish Councillors and elect a new set? It seems to me that there is nothing but trouble from the current lot! I have voted in the most recent elections - but how long is a term, and does there have to be a public vote to be re-elected?

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - marian (8th Feb 2011 - 12:39:20) I agree. The matter of this expenditure demands a completely independent enquiry. There are so many unanswered questions - and this whole fiasco has been left to rumble on too long. What can we do to try and put the matter right?

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - Dawn Hoskins (8th Feb 2011 - 20:35:11) At the time when this was all going on I was trying to draw attention to it by posting on this forum, I was lambasted by people thinking I had some sort of agenda. I don't. I just want a functional Parish Council. To make a noise you have to write to the Standards Committee at East Hampshire District Council. You could write into the Parish Office but IMO that is a waste of time as you will either be treated with contempt or just completely ignored. I would like to point out to all concerned, that it was only when I witnessed outrageous behaviour with my own eyes that I began to take action against that behaviour. I have no bones to grind with any Councillors - only their inaction in dealing with the situation - which for some reason they are afraid to. I called on this forum for an independent investigation - that is indisputable. However I did not want an investigation into the person that asked the question, but of the behaviour that was taking place at the time [which was abominable and most definitely an act of Gross Misconduct in my opinion]. I can confirm that I was not the only person to witness the said behaviour, and the subject of the unwanted behaviour had made vociferous and emotional complaints to a great number of people, including a number of councillors. That for some 'mystery' reason she chooses to state that she did not confide and complain in this way does not take away the fact that she did so - and does not take away the reason for asking the question into it - or requiring an investigation into it. I can say I am a table or a chair. That does not make it so. Saying something did not happen, does not take away the fact that it did. It does not take away the fact that it was witnessed and it does not take away the voices of those people confided in and complained to at the time. Only an independent investigation which asks these people what happened will enable the public to get to the bottom of the matter. Until that happens this matter will not go away - just because certain people would wish it.

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - Susan W (8th Feb 2011 - 22:39:38) Dawn, I could follow most of what you were saying - obviously bearing in mind that you have to be careful in what you say, because they have already 'set socilitors' to you - regardless if its warrented or not. But This paragraph is well beyound me, and have not a clue what or whom (only mentions a 'she', when most mention a he or he's) it relates to? Is this another issue to the payments made or part of the same?? If you can please elaborate. from you post:- "I can confirm that I was not the only person to witness the said behaviour, and the subject of the unwanted behaviour had made vociferous and emotional complaints to a great number of people, including a number of councillors. That for some 'mystery' reason she chooses to state that she did not confide and complain in this way does not take away the fact that she did so - and does not take away the reason for asking the question into it - or requiring an investigation into it."

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - Mrs Sue King (20th Apr 2011 - 21:08:17) After seeing a very recent thread predicting a newspaper acticle tomorrow,for the 22nd April, jogged my memory about his thread. Initially, the new thread mentioned about "wrong doings"of the Parish Council. However, for some reason that particular part , although in the public interest, has been removed. Without going into detail and at the risk of my comments being removed, all I will say is I am very concerned about the misuse of public money and public resources. The sum of £23,500 is probably the "tip of the iceberg", if we stand by and watch things happen. I strongly believe we all need to engage in local politics. It's only when good people sit back and watch, is when others take advanage of the situation and abuse their position.

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - ed wells (21st Apr 2011 - 08:28:16) Can someone inform us how much the further public monies being used inappropriately by our local council are and for what reason?

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - Helen (21st Apr 2011 - 10:10:16) I do not think Dawn can name names without being sent more solicitors letters. My only hope is that enough new councillors are elected to put an end to the nonsense which protects those covering up the truth as at present or putting ridiculous amounts of spin out for publication in the Herald.

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - Jock Trodden (22nd Apr 2011 - 15:26:03) I refer to a good question posted yesterday by Ed Wells. "Can someone inform us how much the further public monies being used inappropriately by our local council are and for what reason?" I am currently dealing with a claim for defamation of character brought against me by Cllr Newman. In his solicitors "Letter of Claim" to me dated 17th February there many sentences printed verbatim of what I actually said at 2 meetings. I had no idea that meetings were recorded, apparently for the purpose of accurate reporting of Minutes only. It would appear that some Council officer, as yet un-named, has transcripted my verbal comments and forwarded them to Newman’s solicitor in direct contravention of Council Standing Orders. It is my intention to bring the culprit to book. To that end my solicitor has written to LPC asking for an explanation. At an Exempt Session of the last meeting this my solicitors letter was raised. I understand Cllr Anna James and my old Labour Party friend John Tough put forward a motion to refer the matter to Council Solicitors at the expense of the Parish tax payers. The motion was voted on and was split 50-50. Stand in Chairman John Tough used his deciding vote to back such a move. Is there no end to the stupidity of “Newman’s gang”. If this matter goes to Court it will make the £23K “clerk scandal” already the subject of anger and angst pall into insignificance and Liphook tax payers will again have to meet the bill. Nothing personal Liphook residents. I own 3 houses in the Headley Road which are let out to employees, but I pay the Council tax on all three. This is why I have an interest in the financial and political interest in our Parish at heart. The election is now close and I hope Liphook residents return Councillor’s who are honest, trustworthy and committed to dealing with Council business in a fair and proper manner. The infamous bullying of individuals by the clerk, among his cohorts, must stop. Ooops! Should I expect another letter ? Thank you, Regards Jock Trodden John Trodden Managing Director JTS Civil Engineers Ltd Regency House Blackmoor GU33 6BH 01420 538384 ~ 07887 607009 28th April 2011 - We have received a letter from John Tough referring to the post above. "I chaired the meeting he refers to and the part that Mr Trodden reports was exempt business. Clearly a councillor has leaked this exempt information to him which is not allowed, nor should it be published on the website. However, although I can not discuss an exempt matter, I must point out that his report is quite incorrect. The motion was not at all as he states nor was the voting. I was Chairman of the meeting and I did not use my casting vote. I ask that the incorrect account of this exempt meeting be deleted"

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - sophie (23rd Apr 2011 - 10:13:29) This is all so pathetic. I seldom hear of other parishes having these on-going & petty disputes. I can not believe much of the parish councils time is spent sending these solicitors letters. I wouldn't care at all but I do feel annoyed that part of my concil tax is paid to these idiots. Genuine question - have the local council done anything real and positive recently? I don't really understand their function and all we ever hear about is all these legal proceedings against each other. I understand local elections are due soon. I hope there is a fresh new council voted in and we can kiss goodbye to this lot of time & money wasters. It would be nice to see something other than all this council tripe on this site. It's dull and it never changes!

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - Jock Trodden (23rd Apr 2011 - 15:08:06) I refer to Sophie's comments on this thread today "I hope there is a fresh new council voted in and we can kiss goodbye to this lot of time & money wasters" Please make no mistake - there are Councillors’ presently serving your community, good men and women who are honest, dedicated and above reproach and then there are the others, including the Parish Clerk, who have their own agenda. If you have a controlling and litigious Clerk on any parish Council, he or she can bring that Council into disrepute by banding together the ill informed and easily led Councillors who nod and vote at his or her behest. I am most certainly not suggesting that the clerk, Mr Groves, his 2nd cousin Cllr Anna James, Cllr Nigel Newman, Cllr Greg Amey or Cllr Austen-Olsen are in the latter category. Voters must turn up and make their own decisions. As an aside, I understand Tony Groves was a military man with a responsibility to the many media releases the Army put out. If the release requires a spin there are senior personnel specifically trained to do just that. I was in the Army too and I was specifically trained to shoot people I didn’t know. However, I’m out now and the shooting has stopped. Thank you, Regards Jock Trodden Managing Director JTS Civil Engineers Ltd Regency House Blackmoor GU33 6BH 01420 538384 ~ 07887 607009

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - Andy (24th Apr 2011 - 19:03:03) Jock trodden your a very silly man, what goes around comes around and you've just put yourself in the firing line!!..

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - DBell (24th Apr 2011 - 19:51:21) Thank goodness all this has been brought to the publics attention, lets hope this election will get rid of the bad apples and bring a new council that can and will start working as it should for the good of the community. I know where i definately won't be placing my votes!

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - simon (25th Apr 2011 - 16:51:44) Looks like more taxpayers money will be going down the pan trying to defend the person who illegally released data to Newmans solicitors.

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - Mrs Murdoch (25th Apr 2011 - 21:54:59) The point that needs highlighting is that the total to date of public money used inappropriately is nearer to £50 000 ! Remember all the legal costs being spent in an attempt to "gag " the local people from exposing the truth.

Re: At least £23,500 of Parish Council Public Money wasted - A Dawson (26th Apr 2011 - 13:00:10) Where is the council going to hide these legal costs in the accounts?

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