A report has described a ‘toxic’ environment and ‘normalised’ bullying behaviour within Brighton and Hove City Council’s waste department following complaints by whistleblowers.
An initial summary report by Aileen McColgan KC has been published after she spoke to more than 70 witnesses about the culture at City Clean.
Ms McColgan wrote: ‘The complaints, which I have concluded were well-founded, contained multiple allegations of sexual harassment, race discrimination, discrimination based on disability, bullying and intimidation.’
Her report also found that decisions made by the local authority in connection with threatened industrial action in 2019 had ‘conveyed a message to managers at City Clean that decisions relating to disciplinary action against certain members of staff would not be supported by the council.’
Attempts to discipline individuals were found to have resulted in threats of industrial action.
The report makes several recommendations to the council, including that it considers disciplinary action against a number of staff members.
Bella Sankey called for the inquiry after becoming council leader in May and has said the council will take ‘appropriate action’ to address its findings.
Cllr Sankey said: ‘I am deeply concerned by the findings in this report concerning the working culture at City Clean.
‘It paints a picture of a service mired in racism, misogyny and homophobia and where a culture of bullying, intimidation and aggression has taken hold.
The full report is expected to be published before the end of this month following legal processes.
