Cost of investigation and disciplinary process re senior council officers - LATEST

There has been an exchange of emails between M Smith and Wirral Borough Council on the What Do They Know website updating this Freedom of Information request:

From Jane Corrin, WBC

Thank you for your recent email shown below. I have supplied Council response below which I trust you will find of use.

The Disciplinary Investigation concerning the two senior offices in DASS was conducted by Vic Hewitt. The contractual arrangement was between the Council and North West Employers.
The council has voluntarily agreed to pay for independent legal support for Martin Morton. This support has been provided by Mace and Jones Solicitors in Liverpool (who Mr Morton had [previously personally instucted). The support has been in place since 8 December 2008 and is continuing. The cost has amounted to £10,809.50 (plus VAT which the Council will recover).

From M Smith:

Thank you for your response.

I would be grateful if you would kindly identify the officer or officers who made the decision to engage Vic Hewitt through North West Employers rather than directly through his own company, Vic Hewitt Consulting Ltd., which would have saved public money?

Thank you.

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