Dan Peters 23 March 2023

Croydon pushes ahead with drive to hold former leaders to account

Croydon pushes ahead with drive to hold former leaders to account image
Image: BasPhoto / Shutterstock.com.

Croydon LBC has announced ‘unprecedented action’ to hold ex-senior leaders to account for ‘misconduct, wrongdoing and failures in governance’ that contributed to its financial collapse.

The council’s appointments and disciplinary committee today unanimously agreed that a file will be sent to the Metropolitan Police and any relevant professional bodies and institutes ‘for their consideration’.

It comes after independent investigator Richard Penn – a senior associate with the Local Government Association - asked members to consider referring his report into the reasons for the financial collapse of Croydon to the police for ‘assessment of any further action being warranted in regard to the handling of public money and conduct in public office’.

Misconduct in public office carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

In what is thought to be a first for local government, the committee also unanimously agreed to take legal action to ‘recover as much as legally possible’ of the £437,000 financial settlement paid to former chief executive Jo Negrini, who has not responded to requests for comment.

A council spokesperson said they were unable to comment on how much of the settlement the council would be seeking or able to recover.

To continue reading visit The MJ (£).

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Social Work and Social Care

Trafford Council
£100,731 to £104,625
You will join a values-driven senior leadership team, providing visible and responsive leadership. Manchester
Recuriter: Trafford Council

Housing Ombudsman

Housing Ombudsman Service
£130,095 per annum, negotiable based on experience.
The Housing Ombudsman Service allows colleagues to choose if they wish to work in the London office, from home or a hybrid of the two London (Greater)
Recuriter: Housing Ombudsman Service

CIPFA Trainee

Oxfordshire County Council
£31537 - £40777
You’re eager to build a career in public finance and committed to completing the CIPFA Level 7 Apprenticeship. You meet the eligibility criteria (including being under 22 years of age before studies commence, based on central government funding criteria Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Peripatetic Customer Service Advisor

Oxfordshire County Council
25583 - 29064
The role is customer facing and involves continual interaction with users of the library and library customer service advisers. The staff member delivers events within the library but will need to build and maintain relationships with the wider community. Henley-on-Thames
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Organisational Development Consultant

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band G SCP 32-37 (£42,839 -£48,226 per annum)
Are you ready to shake things up and help shape the future of Sandwell Council? Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner