Harrow Council source slams outgoing Tory administration (From Harrow Times)

Harrow Council source slams outgoing Tory administration

6:23pm Friday 14th May 2010 in

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A SENIOR council insider has blasted the outgoing Tory administration with accusations it created a “culture of fear”.

The source, who spoke out under condition of anonymity, said high ranking officers in Harrow Council were too afraid of repercussions to give constructive criticism of Conservative policies.

There were also claims political influence was exercised over a programme of redundancies launched to balance the authority's tight budget, leaving officials scared that speaking out of turn would cost them their jobs.

In an exclusive interview with the Harrow Times, the source said: “There are a number of projects that have been railroaded through by the Conservative administration.

“They have developed, over a period of time, a culture of fear. Senior staff, middle managers, have been dictated to and honest and justifiable advice has been ignored.”

The insider cited the Neighbourhood Champions scheme, which trains residents to report problems in their community to the council, as an example.

The initiative was criticised in the press when news of it first broke, with claims it encouraged the volunteers to spy on their neighbours.

The Tory administration hit back, saying it was a genuine attempt to improve reporting of problems, but the source said the project was pushed through with little concern for the views of officers.

The insider said: “The boundaries between politics and management have been blurred considerably. Take staffing – there are appointments where there has been political meddling.

“That would not be the domain of the politician. With the change of control in the council there will be a more balanced debate and discussion – a much more open and trusting culture where officer can freely speak their minds.”

Councillor Susan Hall, leader of the Tory Group, said: “This is completely outrageous. Our legacy speaks for itself.

“We always fight for the residents which is the right and proper thing for councillors to do. The streets have never been cleaner and the borough has never been safer – two things which are at the top of our agenda for residents.

“We will continue to fight for residents and if that means disagreeing with officers then so be it.”

Michael Lockwood, chief executive of Harrow Council, said: “This is simply not the case.

“Relationships between officers and councillors in the previous administration were very good as I’m sure they will continue to be with the current one.”