Letter to Angela Eagle, MP, et al....

The following letter had been made available to this website:


From: The Loose Cannon
To: eaglea@parliament.uk
Cc: phso.enquiries@ombudsman.org.uk ; chrisjohnson@mercurypress.co.uk ; fieldf@parliament.uk ; hesfords@parliament.uk ; coopery@parliament.uk ; SHAWJ@parliament.uk ; camerond@parliament.uk ; cleggn@parliament.uk ; browng@parliament.uk ; Justin Dunn
Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 10:16 AM
Subject: Copy Letter to DLA re DWP appointeeship

Dear Ms Eagle,

The following is a copy of a letter that has today been sent to the Disability Living Allowance in Blackpool.

As this affects your constituents as well as your Governmental department I'm sure you will wish to take this matter up at the highest level in order to prevent the further abuse of people with learning disabilities.

Sincerely,m
(signed)




Customer Services Manager
Warbreck House
Warbreck Hill Road
Blackpool FY2 0ZG
12 March 2010

Dear Sir/Madam,

Serious concerns about Appointees

I understand that recently Chris Winstanley, acting on behalf of Wirral Borough Council, applied for, and was granted, Appointeeship in respect of several adults with learning disabilities who reside at Bermuda Road, Curlew Way and Edgerhill Road, Moreton, Wirral.

I note that amongst the declarations made on the application form Ms Winstanley will have stated that she has discussed her appointment with other family members or next of kin and that they do not object to her appointment.

This is totally false. Family members and next of kin were NOT consulted prior to this action being taken and at least some of them most certainly DO object to her appointment. In fact, at least one of them wanted to apply to be an Appointee, but was told by the Council that they held Power of Attorney for her relative.

Background
Seventeen adults with severe learning disabilities living at the above three properties were systematically abused financially by Wirral Council’s Department of Adult Social Services between 1997 and 2006, amounting to £500,000. Six have died, and four have moved out, leaving seven in residence.

Thanks only to the persistence of a Departmental whistleblower the Council has very reluctantly been forced to pay back some of the money that was taken unlawfully by them. However, it has consistently tried to cover up its actions, and minimise the reimbursements.

Most of the tenants do not have capacity; they cannot read or write and some are blind. Nevertheless the Department ignored the elected members’ instructions that advocates be appointed to explain everything to the tenants and next of kin and assist them to make their claims for reimbursement. Instead they simply sent letters directly to the tenants, telling them there had been ‘a mistake’ and if they wanted to claim reimbursement they should sign the form and return it in the attached envelope. However the following paragraph told them that IF they claimed the money to which they were entitled, it would affect their Benefits!

In granting the Department of Adult Social Services and Wirral Council Appointeeship over these tenants the Department of Work and Pensions has unwittingly handed the abusers total control of the tenants and their finances, effectively silencing the concerns of their relatives and next-of-kin.

I trust you will agree that because of the background to this case Wirral Council, and in particular the Department of Adult Social Services, are unfit to hold these Appointeeships. If next-of-kin are unwilling or unable to act as Appointees then they should be permitted to appoint a suitable alternative, such as a solicitor or vicar in their place in order to safeguard their relatives.

I would be grateful if you would investigate this thoroughly in order to protect the claimants. .

Reproduced by kind permission of The Loose Cannon

Appointeeships granted to Wirral Borough Council

The following Freedom of Information request has been made by Veridici

Can you please tell me

1. Has Wirral Borough Council, or any individual representing Wirral Borough Council, applied for Appointeeships in respect of residents of Bermuda Road, Curlew Way and Edgehill Road, Moreton, Wirral within the last twelve months.

2, How many individuals did the application cover?

3. Were any individuals at other addresses within Wirral included in the application?

4. Was the application successful, and the Appointeeship granted?

5. If the answer to 4 is in the affirmative, on what date was the Appointeeship granted?

6. Did the individual signing the application form declare that relatives of the individuals had been consulted about the application?

7. What are the penalties for making a false declaration?

Thank you

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© copyright Veridici.
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Claims for reimbursement

A response to this FOI request has been posted at http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/. Wirral Council's answers are in bold.

1. As of today's date, how many current tenants of Bermuda Road,Curlew Way, or Edgehill Road have personally submitted claims for reimbursement in accordance with Cabinet resolution 256 (3)&(5) of 14 January 2010?

One current resident has submitted a claim for reimbursement.

2. As of today's date, how many Appointees have submitted claims for reimbursement in accordance with Cabinet resolution 256 (3)&(5) of 14 January 2010, on behalf of tenants, former tenants, or deceased tenants of the above properties, together with names and job title of the Appointee if they are a Council employee?

One claim has been received from an Appointee.

3. As of today's date, how many Attorneys have submitted claims for reimbursement on behalf of tenants or former tenants of the above properties, in accordance with Cabinet resolution 256 (3)&(5) of 14 January 2010?

No claims have been received from Attorneys.

4. As of today's date, how many next of kin have submitted claims for reimbursement in accordance with Cabinet resolution 256 (3)&(5) of 14 January 2010, on behalf of former or deceased tenants of the above properties?

No claims have been received from next of kin.

5. How many next of kin have been contacted in accordance with Cabinet resolution 256 (4)?

There is no reference to next of kin in Cabinet resolution 256(4).

Veridici has asked the following supplementary questions:

1. How many carers and advocates of the seventeen original tenants and former tenants are their next-of-kin and/or relative?

2. How many relatives and/or next-of-kin of the tenants have the Council initiated contact with regarding the reimbursement?

3. On what date did the tenants and former tenants receive reimbursement letters from the Council?

4. On what date/s did the Council contact the relatives and/or next-of-kin of the tenants and former tenants about the reimbursement?

5. If the answer to the latter question is that the Council has not done so, why not?

6. On what date did the Council apply to the DWP to request a corporate Appointeeship over the affairs of the tenants?

7. How many tenants does that Appointeeship cover?

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© copyright Veridici & Wirral Borough Council. Reproduced under fair use for the dual purposes of comment and news reporting
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Wirral Council overcharging the vulnerable and shooting the messenger

ConservativeHome / Local Government

Wirral Council, a Labour/Lib Dem coalition led by Cllr Steve Foulkes, a Labour councillor. They seem to adopt the same approach as Haringey towards whistle blowers who expose failings in caring for vulnerable residents.

Martin Morton, a council officer in Wirral, found that the Council was massively overcharging vulnerable residents, most of whom could not read or write. But rather than sort out the problem the Council tried to shut him up.

Private Eye's Rotten Boroughs column includes an item on it in their current issue:

A 10-year campaign by a whistleblower who uncovered serious overcharging of vulnerable people by Wirral Council's adult social services has ended with the authority admitting it should repay almost £250,000 in excess charges.

Sixteen people were found to have been overcharged up to £100 a week by social services under the supported living scheme, in which people are helped to live in their own homes.

The item concludes:

And has Morton received a herogram - or at least an apology? ot exactly. For continuing to insist on exposing the truth he was, he claims, bullied, driven out of his job and at one point hospitalised with stress. In 2008 he received a payoff of £45,000 and was asked to sign a gagging clause. Happily, he has chosen to ignore it.

Indeed he has. In an article for the Wirral Globe, he says:

The paragraph on the Globe website, which had me heading for the beta-blockers, read: "Cllr Foulkes said the affair had proved that anyone within the council with a complaint - 'or a whistleblower, as the term has been used in this case' - would have their grievances properly investigated and acted upon."

This reinforced the experience repeated over the last few years of living in a parallel universe where wrong is right, bad is good and lies are truth.

Had I not taken my serious concerns to the Audit Commission this matter would have been buried as deep as nuclear waste - proof positive of the catastrophic failure of Wirral Council to address my
concerns.

I chose to "go public" only because I witnessed lies, denials, and attempts at a smokescreen at several Audit and Risk Management Committee meetings.

What is particularly significant about Mr Morton's comments is his analysis that the culture on Wirral Council has not really changed. The problem is still there. Consequences for wrong doing "are still missing as the reinstatement of two officers implicated in the cover-up proves."

Mr Morton concludes:

The dangerous message Wirral Council gives the staff is this: "Play the game and no matter how incompetent you are we will reward you. Whistleblow about abuse - and we will destroy you.”

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© copyright Harry Phibbs. Reproduced under fair use for the dual purposes of comment and news reporting
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Two new FOI requests

Veridici has made two Freedom of Information requests at What Do They Know, as follows:

Dear Wirral Borough Council,

Please provide the following information in accordance with the FOIA:

1. As of today's date, how many current tenants of Bermuda Road, Curlew Way, or Edgehill Road have personally submitted claims for reimbursement in accordance with Cabinet resolution 256 (3)&(5) of 14 January 2010?

2. As of today's date, how many Appointees have submitted claims for reimbursement in accordance with Cabinet resolution 256 (3)&(5) of 14 January 2010, on behalf of tenants, former tenants, or deceased tenants of the above properties, together with names and job title of the Appointee if they are a Council employee?

3. As of today's date, how many Attorneys have submitted claims for reimbursement on behalf of tenants or former tenants of the above properties, in accordance with Cabinet resolution 256 (3)&(5) of 14 January 2010?

4. As of today's date, how many next of kin have submitted claims for reimbursement in accordance with Cabinet resolution 256 (3)&(5) of 14 January 2010, on behalf of former or deceased tenants of the above properties?

5. How many next of kin have been contacted in accordance with Cabinet resolution 256 (4)?

Thank you

Yours faithfully,

Veridici

_________________________________________

Dear Wirral Borough Council,

Please provide the following information in accordance with the FOIA:

1. The total number of adults for whom the Council, or its employees, hold DWP Appointeeships, broken down by area.

2. The name and job title of each individual Council employee, or details of each department, which holds DWP Appointeeships for the adults in question 1, together with the date or dates on which these Appointeeships were made.

Please note, I am not asking for any personal details of the adults in question 1.

Yours faithfully,

Veridici



_________________________________________

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© copyright Veridici.

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Does the abuser investigate the abuse?

A series of emails from an individual who wishes to remain anonymous, using the name 'Anna', with permission to use them on this site. They have been arranged so that they read chronologically.

From: 'Anna'
To: safeguardingadultsunit@wirral.gov.uk
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 11:43:39 +0000
Subject: Financial abuse, and attempted defrauding, of people with learning disabilities

I would prefer to remain anonymous as I am responsible for a vulnerable adult who is indirectly affected by this case.

Wirral Borough Council has recently been compelled by the persistance of a whistleblower to pay back a quarter of a million pounds to fifteen people with severe learning disabilities, although the true figure they were unlawfully charged by Adult Social Services is nearer half a million pounds.
The next of kin of the people concerned only learned of the unlawful overcharge and reimbursements from the local newspapers. When they contacted DASS they were told that this is nothing to do with them. Their request for a meeting of all the next of kin with the Council has been denied. Now the Social Services department is claiming that IT holds Power of Attorney over their relatives' financial affiars, and the Public Guardian has been informed of these claims.

The fifteen vulnerable people who were financially abused by the Council live, or lived, in Moreton, Wirral.

There has been a massive cover-up by Council officials, and a handful of Councillors, over the last nine years, and it's still going on. Calls over the years for a full independent inquiry and/or a police investigation have been continually denied by the ruling parties.

Over the last weekend each of the vulnerable people affected by this received a letter from Wirral Council. It was couched in language that is almost unintelligible to the average citizen, let alone those who can neither read nor comprehend, and it would seem that no attempt was made by the Council to explain the contents to the individuals.

The letter contains dire warnings that claiming the refund may affect their benefits, which is an outright lie, as DWP has stated that the refund would be disregarded for a MINIMUM of 52 weeks, as it is the result of official error.

Due to two different calculating "errors", considerably less than half of what they were actually unlawfully charged is being offered, and the Council are now UNLAWFULLY charging them, retrospectively, under Fairer Charging, despite them not having been assessed under either that or the former Special Charging Policy.

The Director of Law has already ruled that it would be unlawful to make such a retrospective charge in the case of hundreds of people in exactly the same type of accommodation and situation who were charged NOTHING during the same period.

None of those affected have been offered any advocacy despite that having been part of the Council decision on this matter. The letter does say that advocacy is available, but only after they are told they should "sign the attached form" and return it in the stamped, addressed envelope if they wish to claim the reimbursement. Remember, none of them can read or write!

Wirral Council will stop at nothing to minimise its repayments, either by only paying back less than half of what it owes, or bullying vulnerable people they have aready abused financially into not claiming anything at all. That cannot be allowed to happen.

If this does not fall within your remit I would be grateful for any advice on who can do so.

All press reports and Council documents are accessible from the following website:
http://blowingthewhistleonareallyrottenborou.blogspot.com/

Thank you
'Anna'

[Veridici's note: thank you Anna for linking to the blog.]


From: Jones, David N. (Social Services QAU)
Date: Mon, Feb 15, 2010 at 4:51 PM
Subject: RE: info
To: 'Anna'

Dear ‘Anna’

I write further to your e-mail to the Safeguarding Unit on 8 February which has been passed to me, as the Complaints Manager, to consider your points in accordance with our complaints process.

It is unfortunate that you wish to remain anonymous, however let me re-assure you that if you choose to shed your anonymity there will be no detrimental affect on the adult you are responsible for. It may also assist in adding perspective to what is a complex issue, and may allow the Director to address the issues in their appropriate context.

As you will be aware there has been a full investigation into the issues you raise, and it appears you are not satisfied with some of the outcomes from that investigation, and allege continuing malpractice. If you choose to remain anonymous it is difficult to address these concerns without context; as such it may be more appropriate for you to raise your concerns with the Audit Commission, the Local Government Ombudsman or the Care Quality Commission. The details for these organisations are readily available on the internet, but if you have any difficulty contacting them please let me know.

Please contact me if you wish to discuss further any of the points raised in my e-mail

Regards

David Jones
Complaints Manager
0151 666 5205


From: Anna
To: Jones, David N. (Social Services QAU)
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 12:41 PM
Subject: Re: info

Dear Mr Jones,

Thank you for your letter. I contacted Safeguarding People as I am concerned at the ongoing organised and multiple abuse of vulnerable adults. It is totally inappropriate for Social Services Director or Complaints Manager to be involved in this. Does the abuser investigate the abuse?

I shall pursue this through higher channels.

'Anna'
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© copyright 'Anna' . Reproduced with permission.
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Ombudsman - Wirral Council "at fault"

The text of a letter from the Local Government Ombudsman to Wirral Council has been made available to this site. Edited to protect the privacy of those concerned, it proposes that the Council send "a suitably senior officer" to apologise in person for the distress caused.

It states that the Ombudsman thinks the Council is at fault on two counts, thus causing "an injustice". Compensation for this has not yet been set, although it is understood that no compensation was sought by the complainant.

Furthermore, the Ombudsman thinks that the complainant "has been put to avoidable time and trouble in pursuing the complaint" The Ombudsman's original suggestion of £200 compensation was increased to £250 due to the Council's tardiness in dealing with the matter. Again it is emphasizes that the complainant did not seek any compensation for this element.

Wirral Council has twenty working days in which to accept the Ombudsman's proposals.
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© copyright Veridici.
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Wirral Council whistleblower Martin Morton: 'I'd do it all again, because it's the RIGHT thing to do'

Wirral Globe - by Martin Morton


THE following is a response to the Globe report (see related links below) detailing the comments made by the Leader of the Council Steve Foulkes at Wirral Council’s cabinet meeting on January 14, when cabinet finally agreed that a group of people with learning disabilities had been systematically and unlawfully charged over a prolonged period of time.

Public interest in this case has been significant and I have received overwhelming support since I felt compelled to “blow my cover”.

It was reassuring to discover that a significant number of people on Wirral are not only concerned about standards in public life, but also the rights of disabled people.

I would like to thank all those who have offered their support and assistance during this ordeal, which enabled me to continue challenging the grave injustice perpetrated by the council.

My response is restricted to Wirral Council’s charging and whistleblowing policies, as I have been advised by Bill Norman (Director of Law, HR and Asset Management) that if I do not “observe strict confidentiality” regarding matters which led me to walk out of my job two years ago, he will be minded to advise cabinet to halt the long overdue investigation into my bullying allegations.

The paragraph on the Globe website, which had me heading for the beta-blockers, read: "Cllr Foulkes said the affair had proved that anyone within the council with a complaint - 'or a whistleblower, as the term has been used in this case' - would have their grievances properly investigated and acted upon."

This reinforced the experience repeated over the last few years of living in a parallel universe where wrong is right, bad is good and lies are truth.

Had I not taken my serious concerns to the Audit Commission this matter would have been buried as deep as nuclear waste - proof positive of the catastrophic failure of Wirral Council to address my concerns.

I chose to "go public" only because I witnessed lies, denials, and attempts at a smokescreen at several Audit and Risk Management Committee meetings.

At times the conduct of the most senior officers of Adult Social Services simply took my breath away, so brazen was their contempt for councillors, the public and most importantly those they are employed to serve.

I recall that when the current Director of Adult Social Services was initially in post he set out in a presentation his plan of action on how he intended to take the Department forward.

John Webb reminded us: "We are all public servants and ALL must do a good job."

He said he wanted to work in a place where all staff are: Able to perform well and innovate; Involved and listened to; Clear about what is expected of them; Treated fairly and consistently; Valued and respected; Supported.

Yet this was not my experience of working for DASS, or I would never have become a whistleblower.

And I suspect a large number of Adult Social Services staff who try to do their best for the vulnerable people of Wirral would share my experience.

Mr Webb's presentation reminded us that ACE is essential. ACE was an acronym for "Accountability" and "Expectations" he explained, but teased: "What's missing? Consequences!"

Consequences are still missing, as the reinstatement of two officers implicated in the cover-up proves.

According to an email on their return from a nine-month suspension on full pay, he told DASS staff he was "delighted" to have them back.

Cabinet's decision on January 14 brings Wirral Council into further disrepute.

The sorry saga began with a denial of any financial liability to the council in respect of unlawful charges made upon tenants of Bermuda Rd, Curlew Way and Edgehill Rd between October 1997 and June 2006.

After personally providing irrefutable evidence of a cover-up the council sought to persistently minimise its financial liability.

As the cover-up unravelled, the financial liability grew from Zero (September 2008) to £78,499.62 (November 2008), to £116,300 (September 2009), to £243,700 (November 2009), reducing to £241,000 (January 2010).

However, based on all the evidence and information I have obtained from DASS I believe the true figure for a full reimbursement is nearer £500K - as I have consistently maintained.

The council is now shamelessly minimising the reimbursement by retrospectively applying a different charging policy.

Even the Director of Law has ruled: "Legally the council is precluded from seeking to recover this money retrospectively; the money is lost."

It is simply unlawful to apply a charging policy that should have been in place to only this particular group of people.

Fairness and consistency demands that every person who received a service in a supported living setting should also be retrospectively charged.

Not only are Wirral Council persisting with this unlawful course of action, they are even trying to discourage these vulnerable people from claiming their full entitlement by putting obstacles in their way.

The threat of potential financial disadvantage to tenants making a claim against the council is both misleading and manipulative.

If the council truly supported disability rights it would appeal to the Department of Work and Pensions, as I have done, that vulnerable people should not be penalised for "official error" - the understatement of the year.

It is likely that a responsible decision maker within DWP would "disregard" the reimbursement and it would not adversely affect the tenants' benefit entitlement.

As I stated at an Audit and Risk Management meeting, I regret being a whistleblower, I regret losing my job and - most of all - I regret causing my loyal wife intolerable stress.

But I would do it all again - BECAUSE IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

I implore Wirral Council to do the right thing by these vulnerable people, and pay back everything they owe, to enable me and my family to rebuild a life that was nearly destroyed.

How can we have claims of DASS management's involvement in financial abuse, cover-up, lost revenue of over £1M, bullying, incompetence, gross maladministration and malfeasance, but the only person to suffer any detriment was the one who exposed it?

The dangerous message Wirral Council gives the staff is this: "Play the game and no matter how incompetent you are we will reward you. Whistleblow about abuse - and we will destroy you.”

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© copyright Martin Morton. Reproduced under fair use for the dual purposes of comment and news reporting
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Comments on the above story published in the Wirral Globe

glenn, moreton, says...
10:19am Wed 20 Jan 10

An absolutely amazing story of cover-ups at the highest level of social services - and STILL no punishment for the real perpetrators who keep what should be untenable positions after these revelations - and STILL the council refuses to fully re-imburse the victims - and STILL the director of law threatening Mr Morton if he discloses the full extent of the cover up to the public. Absolutely shocking and extremely worrying that vulnerable people are still being dealt with by the same people who have been ripping them off for YEARS.
...
The whistle-blower has been very courageous in pursuing this despite the detriment to his own health and financial security - ultimately losing his job over it while the real criminals get away not only with their over-charging but the bullying and intimidation they have subjected Mr Morton to. Disgraceful.
...
I encourage Mr Morton to continue to do the right thing and weed out the people who are infecting the social services department(and anyone else who may be implicated) - despite the director of law's outrageous threats.


Spiffy, Wallasey says...
11:54am Wed 20 Jan 10

I wonder what would happen if Everyone who has ever witnessed Anything iffy going on within the council reported it. Could they REALLY destroy SO many people's lives - quietly ?
...
What really goes behind those closed doors ? How bad is it really ?



glenn, moreton, says...
1:16pm Wed 20 Jan 10

Thanks for the link Paul. It certainly seems like the reason for such vehemence to cover-up this issue is down to back room deals with care home contractors who perhaps are friends of council officers??? I wonder!! It wouldn't surprise me. Perhaps this could be a line of investigation for someone? The results could be startling.



Natasha Eubank, Oxton says...
1:25pm Wed 20 Jan 10

Only in a very distorted and disturbed mind could someone claim that the Whistleblowing system in Wirral Council actually works. This issue took 9 YEARS to be addressed (and despicably addressed by elected members) and only because it was referred to the Audit Commission. It cost one man his job, his health and his quality of life. It continues to be down-played by elected members and senior Council Officers - So I would like to make an open request to Councillor Steve Foulkes to respond via this web-page (Even if he doesn't read this site, I'm convinced some of the other Labour miscreants do - Perhaps they can draw his attention to this request?) and state how he feels the Whistleblowing system has been effective in this matter? I mean seriously Steve, what planet do you inhabit? Judging by the events during your tenure as Leader, you have demonstrated a spectacular contempt for Wirral Council and I speculate that you are not necessarily the sharpest tool in the shed, but to claim that the Whistleblowing system works........I mean seriously, it's not even intelligent 'spin' is it? It's just plain ill-advised and unbelievably dim.....Do us all a favour Steve and just go, go and attend your football matches and leave Local Authority administration to those who have a semblance of integrity and intelligence


Natasha Eubank, Oxton says...
1:38pm Wed 20 Jan 10

Apologies - "Judging by the events during your tenure as Leader, you have demonstrated a spectacular contempt for Wirral Council" - Clearly this should read "a spectacular contempt for Wirral Residents" - Perhaps I have contracted the same condition that affects Foulkes..........



Ivorromaleyn, New Brighton says...
3:54pm Wed 20 Jan 10

I have already asked the Queen to send a signal on our behalf as she is the only one in the Kingdom who might be allowed to practice common sense rather than PC.
Please forward this artical and comment to Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace. \writing Comments in the Globe is not enough it seems to me.
Perhaps Her Majesty will ask the Audit Commision to comment on this case?
I would love to be present at thwe audiance.
Come on now, copy and print then post.


hugo2008, Wirral says...
4:37pm Wed 20 Jan 10

If this appalling issue involving some of the least able to defend themselves in our community is not resolved before the next election, either National for MPs or indeed local for Councillors.
Please do not vote for any candidate who has been in power for any longer than 12 months. This will eradicate all the parasites who have invested Wirral with this terrible corruption. All of them have either known about it or should have known about it and failed miserably to do anything about the whole diabolical affair. As for the Executive Officers employed by the Council and paid by you and me, at every opportunity remind them and mention the sheer disgrace this has brought to Wirral.


Veridici, Wirral says...
7:20pm Wed 20 Jan 10

Ivorromaleyn, I suspect Her Majesty is constitutionally prevented from acting, but that does not stop us from doing so, does it?


Helen A, bromborough says...
7:27pm Wed 20 Jan 10

Excellent article Martin! You should be very proud of yourself as you are obviously a very intelligent and principled man who has put your qualities to good use. I wish the same could be said for the many adversaries you have single handedly defeated in your fight for justice. Laughable really to think that despite their best efforts, the full might and power of the Council has not managed to shut you up. The past few years cannot have been easy for you and I would like to thank you on behalf of the good, law abiding citizens of Wirral who applaud what you have done. Who knows, one day I may recognise you in the street and be able thank you personally. May you and your wife now reap the peace of mind and untroubled sleep that you so richly deserve; unlike, I hasten to add, all those who have tried to silence you, and whose burdens of guilt must secretly weigh very heavily indeed; especially at night


MX, Wirral says...
8:20pm Wed 20 Jan 10

It's quite obvious now why this took so long and so much effort to get in the public domain as dozens of people seem to be implicated in this debacle and they've all been covering each others backs.
At times, it appears that the only people who didn't know what was going on were the cleaning staff at Westminster House (no I take that back from what I hear the cleaning staff at Westminster House know a thing or two!).



glenn, moreton, says...
8:22pm Wed 20 Jan 10

veridici, was it not cllr pat williams who made a ruling against an independent inquiry after heeding one of the implicated's(john webb's) proclamation that there was no need for any investigation? Is this not malfeasance in public office? (She knew all about the over-charging and overlooked it because one of the accused told her to!)



Merseymouth, Wallasey says...
10:38pm Wed 20 Jan 10

If I stole a quarter (half?) a million pounds or committed fraud that netted the same, I would expect to go to jail.

Why are the police not investigating or am I missing something?



Spiffy, Wallasey says...
10:54pm Wed 20 Jan 10

MM the simple answer is that as an ordinairy citizen you would not be a part of a very intricately tangled web therefore much much easier to deal with without affecting anyone else along the line.



piggymalone, wirral says...
11:24pm Wed 20 Jan 10

Would it be pertinent of me to add
Bill Norman?

And on another point, why have the tories not spoken out on this matter.


lordthomas, birkenhead says...
12:44am Thu 21 Jan 10

as council tax payers,is there no way we can have bill norman sacked or removed from his post if we dont want him working for us.
He himself knows the answer but will not dare tell anyone will you bill I know you will be reading this.
we have other legal reps on the council they should speak up to advise us as to what moves we can take.
we can change things at the next election vote only for independants standing in your area.and any new independants who stand against this corrupt group of low life.
lets hope the inquiry ito bullying takes on board the threats bill norman has implied and make payment to martin for all his loss and all future loss of income


water1lily, spital says...
8:45am Thu 21 Jan 10

wirral dass is totally unfit for purpose i would like to see a petition for a public enquiry not just into the charging fiasco but the whole department.They are causing untold misery across wirral to the very people they are paid to help.They have placed my handcapped son with a known violent co-tenant who has assaulted him and his visitors.The case is with the ombudsman who they have fed a tissue of lies.wirral refuse to provide a budget so that my son can move from this dangerous situation I have been told not to e-mail the director johnwebb@wirral.gov.
uk as he doesn't want to know.Perhaps others would like to tell him what they think of his department



piggymalone, wirral says...
9:48am Thu 21 Jan 10

Would it be of any benefit to try and get this story in the national press?



Marleys Ghost, Wirral says...
11:33am Thu 21 Jan 10

It is an absolute disgrace that, even though these matters have been brought before the Audit and Risk Management Committee, the council continue to delay and minimise the total payment due to these people. This can only be causing Mr. Morton and his family further distress. If the council really are sorry for what they have done and want to make amends to the Morton family for what they have put them through, then I suggest that they start by paying back the full amount that is due to the tenants that they have financially abused.
This should never have been a fight for one man to be committed to; where are the independent advocates for those who have been abused? Why hasn't there been a full independent inquiry into these events? Surely the only way that Wirral can now minimise the damage to the reputation of the authority is for it to finally face the truth and do what is right. Failing that I hope top see them all voted out of office at the next election so that proper redress may be made by the new regime.


Leigh Marles, says...
11:33am Thu 21 Jan 10

We've removed some comments from this thread because they were making libellous and/or criminal allegations stated as fact.
Please keep your comments to personal opinions or dicussion without making personal attacks, otherwise we will be unfortunately forced to close the comments this thread.
Thanks for your co-operation.
Leigh Marles, Editor


minimad69, Birkenhead says...
11:34am Thu 21 Jan 10

Well Done Martin.
Another excellent example of how WBC and certain senior officers of the council, now think it is OK to operate on our behalf - with random, ill thought out belligerence.
They will only 'do the right thing' if forced to by the trheat of censure or removal from office (see also Wirral Libraries!).
When did they become so arrogant and useless - I have fond memories of when this administration achieved things years ago - now I wouldn't trust them to go to a shop for a pint of milk !!!!!


Spiffy, Wallasey says...
12:20pm Thu 21 Jan 10

Leigh, I have not stated anything as fact. I have reiterated information easily available elsewhere. I also question how the provision of names of anyone involved in this particular matter even vaguely resembles an allegation of any sort. Perhaps you could enlighten me ?
...
Dear readers, this is exactly how secrecy is perpetuated and the Globe has no choice but to obey laws in abundance to keep the press and us quiet. I suppose we can not blame them for fearing the consequences.
...
Fortunately this website is not the only resource on the internet should anyone care to google and quietly read about the people running this council.
...
As you can see it is best not to repeat what you know but knowledge is power - so they say. I do hope that someone is able to figure out a way to use this knowledge to stop blatant abuse of vulnerable people by those who are very well paid out of our own pockets to care for and protect them.


Spiffy, Wallasey says...
12:22pm Thu 21 Jan 10

Oh actually, in reiterating information easily available elsewhere I may have breached copyright.
...
See, there is a law for everything and lots and lots to keep people quiet.
...
Hilarious...security words are : talk-even



MX, Wirral says...
12:51pm Thu 21 Jan 10

Clearly someone "in the know" is reading the posts then.
I don't see how a list of random names is libellous.However the situation simply invites speculation.
Have Care Quality Commission been involved?.
Is this the reason the Council got a redflag from Central Government for failings in their safeguarding of vulnerable adults?.
Is everything just going to carry on as if nothing has happened?.
So many questions,so few answers.
Full independent enquiry please.


Spiffy, Wallasey says...
1:05pm Thu 21 Jan 10

The silence emanating from anyone at all who has authority over the council is deafening. (Is that libellous since it's true ? )


piggymalone, wirral says...
1:20pm Thu 21 Jan 10

Oooooops, do I hear the ruffling of feathers in the corridors of power.
More like the blind panic is making the feathers fly, and not before time.
I hope the guilty ones ( and they know who they are as well as we do) suffer twice as many sleepless nights as you put Martin Morton and his wife through and then prosecuted for malfeasance in public office when we hope you suffer many more sleepless nights in prison and dont think complaining to the Wirral Globe will save you from your deserved fate.



glenn, moreton, says...
1:30pm Thu 21 Jan 10

one of my comments regarding the lack of action over this by the council leader has been removed


Veridici, Wirral says...
1:37pm Thu 21 Jan 10

piggymalone, I hardly think you can castigate the Tories - after all, Simon Mountney was the only councillor of any colour to find this case shocking enough to devote a great many hours to it.

Regarding comments, I do find the censorship of non-libellous material rather worrying. Of course the Globe is a commercial organisation, so is open to what could be seen as blackmail from outside parties. However, as someone else has already pointed out, there are alternatives available to those who wish to make comments, if you Google 'Veridici' and 'blowingthewhistle'. Of course the usual laws on copyright, decency and libel are maintained there.


TheLooseCannon, Wirral says...
2:03pm Thu 21 Jan 10

Leigh, instead of deleting whole messages could you not just remove any names of individuals you believe have been libelled - allegedly?
....
And why has this newspaper not taken the initiative to start a campaign for an independent inquiry? You know how powerful the press can be - why are you not using it?
Leigh, instead of deleting whole messages could you not just remove any names of individuals you believe have been libelled - allegedly? .... And why has this newspaper not taken the initiative to start a campaign for an independent inquiry? You know how powerful the press can be - why are you not using it?


Veridici, Wirral says...
2:10pm Thu 21 Jan 10

glenn, no, it was the former Director of DASS, Kevin Miller, who told Pat Williams there was no need for an inquiry - of any sort.


PaulCa, Wallasey says...
2:16pm Thu 21 Jan 10

Leigh, the Globe's opinion is clear. You've accepted the Council's admission that their own behaviour was "unlawful" in your reports. So the next phase will be attributing that to the persons involved, who currently prefer to remain anonymous - hopefully via a legal process.***Ok, it would be unwise to apply the 'criminal' or 'illegal' terms to named individuals, but many posters here are taking their lead from the Globe. Now that a partial admission of fault has been made, they feel fully vindicated in using these words to describe the collective behaviour resorted to over a ten year period. The Council are still claiming to have behaved in accordance with their policies (bit of a contradiction) and to have drawn a line under it. But this doesn't stack up, and in all likelihood, there is a risk that the unlawful activity will continue into the future and further matters may become concealed. Stay committed, don't waver, and stand shoulder to shoulder with Martin. You are in a very strong position and have them on the run.


TheLooseCannon, Wirral says...
2:32pm Thu 21 Jan 10

You're absolutely right to say the Council is 'on the run', PaulCa. Actually, I think 'panic mode' could well be nearer the truth.....DASS will not be helped by a ruling from the Local Government Ombudsman who appears to be nearing the conclusion of his investigation into my long-running complaint against DASS and its Directors, past and present
.....
All they needed to have done over the last ten years was to treat vulnerable people with respect, decency, compassion, and fairness, and all this would have been avoided.



piggymalone, wirral says...
2:44pm Thu 21 Jan 10

Veridici, I hope I did not castigate the tories as I am well awre of the actions taken by Cllr Mountney and Fraser. I am just a little surprised they have made no comments unless of course their attitude is that they do not want to make political gain out of this sorry mess. If that is the case, I think they shoulld say as much.Spiff, I did try and PM you but the system is not working. I dont know if there is any significane in that or it is just co-incidence.Veridici, I hope I did not castigate the tories as I am well awre of the actions taken by Cllr Mountney and Fraser. I am just a little surprised they have made no comments unless of course their attitude is that they do not want to make political gain out of this sorry mess. If that is the case, I think they shoulld say as much. Spiff, I did try and PM you but the system is not working. I dont know if there is any significane in that or it is just co-incidence.


Spiffy, Wallasey says...
2:46pm Thu 21 Jan 10

It is my non-libellous and factually based opinion that blackmailing Mr Morton to keep quiet about how they treated him - in threatening to halt the investigation into his bullying - is absolutely disgusting....I also query its legality. I would like to know which law exactly prevents him from speaking out. I suspect the threat is not based on law but a well-founded fear of the truth getting out too quickly to too many people. ...But that is JUST my opinion.

Spiffy, Wallasey says...

2:48pm Thu 21 Jan 10

Piggy, I checked my messages and got the following:..."InformationPrivate messaging has been disabled on this board."...I invite you to draw your own conclusions as I could not possibly speculate.


Spiffy, Wallasey says...
2:49pm Thu 21 Jan 10

I wonder............when does the bookburning start ?


Merseymouth, Wallasey says...
4:01pm Thu 21 Jan 10

Have a heart guys, a former editor was hauled over the coals many years ago for daring to question the Council re its subsidised private bar at the town hall.Threats of taking away advertising etc I understand, so it is not new. Fact!


Veridici, Wirral says...
4:19pm Thu 21 Jan 10

So, Merseymouth, is it your personal opinion that Wirral Council does not believe in free speech? ...It's my personal opinion that certain officers previously named on this board, are a bunch of shysters and should be brought to justice
....
It's my personal opinion that everyone who cares about this should contact their local councillor and explain to them just how badly you believe the Council is behaving....Perhaps you could also explain that it is your opinion that they are not worthy of licking Mr Morton's boots, let alone being voted back into office
....
it could just concenrate a few minds

Spiffy, Wallasey says...
4:19pm Thu 21 Jan 10

MM no one blames the editor, me least of all. Just having some non-libellous fun at the council's expense. Purely out of curiosity..have you read Fahrenheit 451 ? :)

piggymalone, wirral says...
4:54pm Thu 21 Jan 10

I googled "veridici" as his site might allow us to shame the individual lying, crooks involved and guess what came up
Cllr. Pat Williams, Oxton says... 1:12pm Tue 1 Dec 09
It would be appreciated if Verdici could provide me with the evidence to justify the assertion above. I have always sought to protect the vulnerable in our community and to act with integrity and will continue to do so.
In addition, although I am only too well aware of my own shortcomings, I can sleep in my bed with a clear conscience. Regarding the SAR; I made my opposition to it very clear to colleagues from the start.
As a loyal Liberal Democrat all that I agreed to was that the people of Wirral should be consulted on the proposals in the consultants report. Throughout and since the limited consultation process I have remained consistent in my opposition and what is more - been penalised for it. However, I remain a true Liberal Democrat."
I think I have, in one of the posts above, hoped that complicant parties suffer many more sleepless nights than Martin Morton and his wife have suffered, Cllr Williams, as you state above, you will not be suffering any sleepless nights, your conscience is clear as you have always sought to protect the vulnerable and act with integrity.
Hmmmmmmmm is that so!

Veridici, Wirral says...
5:11pm Thu 21 Jan 10

I'm delighted you found interesting material on Blowing the Whistle, piggymalone....I did indeed provide Pat Williams with the proof she requested, and I don't think she has posted again, although I may be wrong....By the by, your comment has been approved and published.

MX, Wirral says...
6:19pm Thu 21 Jan 10

I am heartened in this era of cynicism and political apathy that people are engaged in a righteous cause and are making alliances based not on political affiliations or self -interest but for justice,the common good and the protection of disabled people.Keep on making those connections.
.

© copyright the Authors. Reproduced under fair use for the dual purposes of comment and news reporting
.

Comments continued ...

Wirral Integrity, Wirral says...
6:37pm Thu 21 Jan 10

The following is an excerpt of an email exchange between DASS Senior Officers regarding the overcharging. This transcript is freely available on the internet - The full version can be found at http://blowingthewhistleonareallyrottenborou.blogspot.com/search/label/%22Employee%20A%22 - Approximately 1/4 of the way down the page.


Once we go for a ‘reimbursement’ the cover’s blown. However we can’t bury our head in the sand for too much longer as the charging review group will start soon (it could be better to leave it to that group to consider?) In the meantime there is ‘unfairness’ in the system hence my advice to Xxxxx to consider the broader issues in AMT.

By the book:- there is no separate charging policy for this service, so it could be argued the domiciliary care charging policy must apply (and should have since ‘97), and that will mean a hefty reimbursement.

I would suggest we go to the Cabinet in the political down time (May-June) to get agreement for a ‘special charging policy’ for supported living as part of the budget strategy.... and that this policy maintains the status quo in financial terms but does so more fairly. I would also suggest the impact on individuals and groups in certain living situations are considered in more depth as I was left thinking the charging practice was very diverse and almost locally determined by individual staff (although I could be wrong there).


Wirral Integrity, Wirral says...
6:47pm Thu 21 Jan 10

To clear up any doubt, the above email exchange demonstrates irrefutably, that DASS senior officers were aware of the overcharging and yet sought to cover it up. They were suspended for 9 months on full pay (which for an Assistant Director equates to approx. £75,000) and subsequently reinstated. Disgusting. Furthermore, because DASS do not have the financial resources to meet the reimbursement, the money will have to come out of other department budgets. In a time were we are facing cuts in front-line services and redundancies, perhaps the two DASS Senior Officers should be the first to go. Thier combined salaries will certainly meet the reimbursement shortfall.



Spiffy, Wallasey says...
6:51pm Thu 21 Jan 10

I wonder how much council tax we will all have to pay this year.


piggymalone, wirral says...
7:03pm Thu 21 Jan 10

Spiff...you can bet your bottom dollar it will be the capped maximum, think thats 5% increase



Spiffy, Wallasey says...
7:11pm Thu 21 Jan 10

Mmhmm.*nods*



PaulCa, Wallasey says...
7:13pm Thu 21 Jan 10

Excellent work, Wirral Integrity. That is just astounding. I'll check out that website link straight away. There will be a strong desire by Wirral council tax payers to see this sort of evidence laid out before them - just to satisfy any lingering doubts they have still had over the people they once placed their trust in.



MX, Wirral says...
7:55pm Thu 21 Jan 10

This gets worse or better (depending on your viewpoint).
But the above info isn't on some obscure website.It's on the Wirral Council's own website in a report written by Mr.Moreton!....and if you read on it gets worse.


MX, Wirral says...
8:03pm Thu 21 Jan 10

By the way I forgot to say Mr or Ms Integrity .Are you really telling me that those who perpertrated this are on £75K ? and they're not even the head honchoes?.Say it isn't so!.So Mr.Moreton is worth what?, 7-8 months of their salary and they carry on completely unaffected having spent what 9 months on full pay watching The Jeremy Kyle Show,Loose Women and Deal or No Deal ?.Somebody wake me up and tell me this is a bad dream.



Spiffy, Wallasey says...
8:06pm Thu 21 Jan 10

MX wrote:I am heartened in this era of cynicism and political apathy that people are engaged in a righteous cause and are making alliances based not on political affiliations or self -interest but for justice,the common good and the protection of disabled people.Keep on making those connections.
MX I think you would probably find that most people do not suffer from political Apathy at all but from political Conditioning. Acceptance of it is variable....The last decade alone has seen so much legislation passed controlling the population that complaining about Anything regarding authority has become a stressful, exhausting, long-drawn out process that can and does destroy people's lives. In most cases it also appears to achieve very little as those in authority consider themselves untouchable and answerable to no-one....It can put off the strongest amongst us but it is the always the sick, the weak, the vulnerable that are the least well-equipped to enter into these processes and the authorities know it. It is much more than abusive but there is not a word I can think of that is strong enough to describe it right this minute though...."Complaints Procedure" - and "Whistleblowing" as we have seen - in this authority is now a contradiction in terms and this insidious creeping destructive culture has got to to change regardless of party politics. Some things are just plain unacceptable from anybody.

Wirral Integrity, Wirral says...

8:15pm Thu 21 Jan 10
MX - I believe that £75K represents the pro-rata of their 9 month suspension. The mind boggles. I believe that Director salary falls between £118K and £128K whilst our friend Maddox gets paid £132K for attending lunches.....



MX, Wirral says...
8:26pm Thu 21 Jan 10

Can't argue with that.....


Merseymouth, Wallasey says...
8:34pm Thu 21 Jan 10

Oi you lot, learn to recognise sarcasm when it is written.I still don't blame the editor though, he has masters and has to obey as well.


Spiffy, Wallasey says...
8:46pm Thu 21 Jan 10

I thought of a word strong enough..."Sadistic". Is that libellous ? Nah....security word: keep-word. Greetings Big Brother....


standards, says...
9:25pm Thu 21 Jan 10

Who authorised the £45,000 of council tax money for Martin to leave and keep quiet? Are they still in post?


MX, Wirral says...
9:33pm Thu 21 Jan 10

A message to Merseymouth (MM - it couldn't be could it?)- " Sarcasm: the last refuge of modest and chaste-souled people when the privacy of their soul is coarsely and intrusively invaded".No that wasn't a Wirral Council spokesperson it was my old friend Fyodor Dostoeyevsky.I believe he wrote a book called Crime & Punishment!

lordthomas, birkenhead says...
9:41pm Thu 21 Jan 10

I said a guy called bill, would be reading this, no doubt this is the reason for items to be removed.ho ho security codeNICE-FEAR



piggymalone, wirral says...
10:44pm Thu 21 Jan 10

MX....MM, just a co-incidence, I know both.
Anyone got decent contacts with the national press?
Anyone know why the PM service is not working. Can MI5 hack into PM`s


Veridici, Wirral says...
10:51pm Thu 21 Jan 10

Standards, yes, the individuals who authorised the £45K payment are all still in their very, very senior posts.


piggymalone, wirral says...
12:16am Fri 22 Jan 10

Already this thread has turned into one of the most fascinating, informative debates ever on this site, certainly as long as I have been contributing. Equally the SAR debacle evoked anger from the residents of Wirral and even some ex pats. People power won the SAR battle and now I would urge everyone to join this battle which if won could end up winning the war. Yes, I use the words battle and war because it is probably the only way we can get justice and get rid of the R-soles dictating our lives

hugo2008, Wirral says...
11:40am Fri 22 Jan 10

Hey folks, I would like to comment on the fact that thanks to Leigh Marles, we have all been able to make comment on this terrible blight to the integrity of Wirral people. This is not just a scandal for Wirral Council and a number of the high ups within the DASS organisation, but its a National Disgrace in the abuse of power and authority that some individuals are able to carry out with what seems like impunity.
We need a completely different system of how Local Government is formed, controlled, and managed, and above all staffed, certainly at high level. Elections are looming soon, please make your vote count whatever your Political Belief on both a National level and I believe more importantly on a local level.
If you believe that your present Local representative, has not in fact carried out your wishes, then do not vote for them, if you think they are acting under Party Political pressure, then do not vote for that party.
Clear out the deadwood and parasites, we don't get many chances, use this one.

Spiffy, Wallasey says...
3:10pm Fri 22 Jan 10

Just on the point of council tax - from todays Echo online:..."LIVERPOOL Council announced today it will freeze its share of city council tax.
At this morning’s executive board the ruling Liberal Democrat group announced they would make significant savings from areas like performance related pay for officers and cutting “bureaucracy”."
...
No excuse for Wirral Council NOT to follow suit. A couple of sackings for gross misconduct would save tens of thousands too
....
Just a thought :)


PaulCa, Wallasey says...
6:31pm Fri 22 Jan 10

The thing that angers me more than anything is the way the guilty senior officers - the people who clearly broke the law - have treated vulnerable people with contempt. They have picked their pockets in the first place, making them even more vulnerable, been found out and then attempted to cover it all up. The crime was compounded when they took to victimising Martin Morton who was brave enough to tell the Wirral Globe. It's also the severe breach of trust that they've committed on Wirral residents. We placed our faith in these senior officers to do a good, honest job, whilst spending our money wisely. I feel like I've been burgled, but the difference is a burglar enters our home and leaves with the spoils, without ever pretending that he's trustworthy. There is usually an honour amongst thieves, but there's no honour here, absolutely none. Just greed, lies, bullying and cowardice.


MX, Wirral says...
7:00pm Fri 22 Jan 10

Cowardice is right Paul.How easy to pick on a lone member of staff and it seems it involved most if not all of Adult Social Services senior management were involved.Then to compound the matter Councillors go and join in to the extent of exonerating one Social Services Manager and asking Bill Norman to send a letter to another one.Telling them what exactly? : "Congratulations on the cover-up but be careful with those emails".Councillors Davies,Teggin and Clarke have a lot to answer for.
As Paul said :cowardice.



Veridici, Wirral says...
7:58pm Fri 22 Jan 10

As I understand it the report by the 'independent investigator' did not clear Noone or Fowler
....
If the information I received is correct the recommendation was that they be dismissed
....
Cllrs Davies,Teggin and Clarke must explain how they turned that recommendation on its head.


Wirral Integrity, Wirral says...
9:51pm Fri 22 Jan 10

Veridici wrote:As I understand it the report by the 'independent investigator' did not clear Noone or Fowler. ... If the information I received is correct the recommendation was that they be dismissed. ... Cllrs Davies,Teggin and Clarke must explain how they turned that recommendation on its head.
Utterly, utterly disgusting. The more this sorry saga unfolds, the more appalled I am at the behaviour of those charged with the welfare of the Boroughs most vulnerable people. The fact that these two individuals could enjoy a 9 month suspension on full pay (on AD salary, this would be approximately £75,000 - An AD ANNUAL salary is approx. £100,000) and then return to their post as if nothing happened, is one of the most shocking travesties, I have ever heard. Now, because DASS deliberately underestimated their liability in respect of the overcharging, the reimbursement must be funded from other Council Departments. If the Elected members and Chief Executive had one single solitary ounce of moral fiber, they would delete these two miscreants posts and use the savings to cover the reimbursement. God knows, DASS seem to have enough Assistant Directors to spare. Instead, low-level workers who have no idea of what has been happening in DASS and who do a good job on behalf of Wirral residents will be given their P45's, just to keep these two morally bankrupt, diseased, creatures on their six-figure salaries.I hope you two are reading this and I hope that your actions come back to haunt you in the darkest hour of the night.
Rest assured, we are NOT going to forget this, this is NOT going to go away. To all those reading this, who have been shocked by this and yet are still apathetic, consider this, the two DASS Assistant Directors probably read these comments regularly and probably share a giggle or two about our vitriol, safe in the knowledge that they've been let off the hook.
What goes around, comes around.

MX, Wirral says...
10:23pm Fri 22 Jan 10

Conspiracy theorists oif the world unite.Why (suddenly,all of a sudden) have my last 5 p[osts disappeared?


PaulCa, Wallasey says...
10:43pm Fri 22 Jan 10

If this forthcoming bullying investigation is carried out honestly and above board, certain individuals should end up impaled back onto their hooks. From where I'm sitting, there's an admission of guilt and a plethora of evidence stacking up against the miscreants. In an ideal world, if Martin carefully and methodically submits every piece of damning information, it should follow on that the finger of blame picks out those responsible. The victimisation had its origins in Westminster House - and there should be a clear-out. That said, we're talking about an employer which has pulled all sorts of strokes to twist and distort the facts, and shrug off the blame. Don't be too surprised if they try to finesse their way out of it using empty words, leading to nowhere. They'll be wanting to shift some of the blame onto Martin - so watch out for the introduction of 'workplace dynamics', 'clash of personalities', 'egos', all nice little convenient lables with which to muddy the water and explain away 'bullying'.
The Chartered Institute of Personal Development (HR's professional body) is big on bullying at the moment (laughable, I know) and has done so-called research which finds that 'clash of personalities' is the biggest cause of workplace conflict. Well it would wouldn't it? But this kind of deliberate and targetted victimisation, accompanied by long, drawn out admission of guilt on the overcharging, can't be explained away so readily.


piggymalone, wirral says...
12:45am Sat 23 Jan 10

To be fair to the Globe (and a number of us have questioned the removal of certain posts) can I re-direct you to Veridicis site where Justin (News Editor)has written an explanation of the removal of some postshttp://blowingthewhistleonareallyrottenborou.blogspot.com/2010/01/comments-on-above-story-published-in_20.html#comments



hugo2008, Wirral says...
10:04am Sat 23 Jan 10

Note the date when this was submitted, yet still no action not even a word, I wonder why.
hugo2008, Wirral says... 3:14pm Sun 27 Sep 09
Where is our local MP Stephen Hesford, with his legal training he should get his teeth into this scandal, and sort out the corruption whithin WBC.After all come election time he may need to get back into legal practice, and with his contacts in the PCT he could have some inside information.



MX, Wirral says...
10:26am Sat 23 Jan 10

I was wrong about my deleted posts.Obviously a problem this end.And I agree with Justin,the Globe and everyone need to be careful about the postings.I think feelings are running high (and rightly so) because truth and justice appear to be alien concepts in this case.There are obviously many people out there who know the full story.It must be so frustrating for them to witness how the Council has managed to contain this for so long.Information is clearly being kept from us,what's in the public domain is scary enough.Can you imagine what's going on behind closed doors?.BTW I understand that both Stephen Hesford (and according to an earlier post Frank Field) know about this case.We're not in Purdah yet are we?.I was wrong about my deleted posts.Obviously a problem this end. And I agree with Justin,the Globe and everyone need to be careful about the postings. I think feelings are running high (and rightly so) because truth and justice appear to be alien concepts in this case.There are obviously many people out there who know the full story.It must be so frustrating for them to witness how the Council has managed to contain this for so long. Information is clearly being kept from us,what's in the public domain is scary enough.Can you imagine what's going on behind closed doors?. BTW I understand that both Stephen Hesford (and according to an earlier post Frank Field) know about this case. We're not in Purdah yet are we?.



piggymalone, wirral says...
11:28am Sat 23 Jan 10

If there are any local MP`s or councillors who are unaware of this case then they shouldnt be MP`s or councillors and in any case the chances of the not knowing are zero. So then, that begs the question "why has not one of them commented or seen to be doing something about this case?"I can probably understand Lib/Labs as it has been their ruling group that is implicated but I cannot understand the tories, is it because they do not want to make political gain over this case, I doubt that, so where are theyIf there are any local MP`s or councillors who are unaware of this case then they shouldnt be MP`s or councillors and in any case the chances of the not knowing are zero. So then, that begs the question "why has not one of them commented or seen to be doing something about this case?" I can probably understand Lib/Labs as it has been their ruling group that is implicated but I cannot understand the tories, is it because they do not want to make political gain over this case, I doubt that, so where are they



PaulCa, Wallasey says... 1
2:12pm Sat 23 Jan 10

MPs have had a difficult time recently. Those who intend to stand next time, being self-interested types, will be busy with election campaigns. Currently, with this issue still to play out, expect silence from Labour / Lib Dem, and eventual damage limitation. But with the tories, I think they'll sit on the fence for a bit longer before jumping and using it in their campaigns. Maybe public pressure could embarrass them and push them off early, or just help to keep the pressure on as the investigation into the bullying of Martin gets underway. All of which begs the question, with unlawful behaviour admitted, has anybody checked the expenses claims of the senior officers involved?MPs have had a difficult time recently. Those who intend to stand next time, being self-interested types, will be busy with election campaigns. Currently, with this issue still to play out, expect silence from Labour / Lib Dem, and eventual damage limitation. But with the tories, I think they'll sit on the fence for a bit longer before jumping and using it in their campaigns. Maybe public pressure could embarrass them and push them off early, or just help to keep the pressure on as the investigation into the bullying of Martin gets underway. All of which begs the question, with unlawful behaviour admitted, has anybody checked the expenses claims of the senior officers involved?



Wirral Integrity, Wirral says...
1:12pm Sat 23 Jan 10

I am rather bemused at the ostensibly abritrary deletion of comments. As an example, I posted details of senior officer salary levels - This information is freely available - The following link is from the taxpayers alliance website showing the CEx and Director salary grades http://tpa.typepad.com/home/files/council_spending_uncovered_4_town_hall_rich_list_2008.pdf All other council officer grades are publicly accessible through a FOIA request. I note from the excellent website www.areallyrottenborough.blogspot.com that the Globe Editor has stated that some user-posted comments have been the subject of complaints. I would imagine that these complaints have emanated from those very individuals implicated in this matter - I find it obscene that these individuals are demanding the same civil and legal rights that they were unwilling to afford to the victims of the overcharging.


MX, Wirral says...
1:15pm Sat 23 Jan 10

Print the complaints



Wirral Integrity, Wirral says...
1:20pm Sat 23 Jan 10

If the Globe are unwilling to print the complaints, then perhaps they could be requested as part of an FOIA request (suitably redacted to comply with the DPA of course, we would hate to infringe on the civil liberties of senior council officers.......)

TheLooseCannon, Wirral says...
4:10pm Sat 23 Jan 10

PaulCa, I have been present at both Council and Audit & Risk Management meetings over the last two years when this has been discussed
.....
I have been appalled by the words, attitudes, and actions of every single Labour or LibDem Councillor who sat on those Committees.....I actually 'hi-jacked' one of the ARMC meetings to contradict false information that was being given to the Committee by Maura Noone
.....
As I have previously stated on this board, I provided information of the financial abuse of vulnerable adults to, among others, Pat Williams, Simon Holbrook, Stu Kelly, Paula Southwood, Moira McLaughlan, John Salter, Steve Foulkes, and Simon Mountney
.....
Guess how many of them wanted more information on my allegations, and took up the cudgel?
....
ONE! And that one was Simon Mountney, and I have to say that he has done so at great personal cost in terms of time, energy, and headaches from banging his head against the Council's brick wall for two years.
....
At the meetings I mentioned earlier I witnessed Simon Mountney trying desperately to get the Labour/LibDem councillors to act with even a modicum of common decency, but the meetings were chaired by a LibDem, Paula Southwood, who consistenly helped the ruling group to ride rough-shod over anything the Tories asked for.
....
I was present when Martin Morton made his impassioned statement regarding the treatment he had received at the hands of Council Officers
.....
Jeff Green then demanded a full, external, public inquiry, or a police investigation. Simon Holbrook rejected both, and called for an inquiry into the bullying allegations - an inquiry which has yet to begin four months later!
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I am not particularly a political animal, and I have said all along that this should not be a political issue, but it has been made one by the ruling parties. Please reserve your wrath for those who are unable or unwilling to vote with their conscience because of the party Whips. The political system we have at the moment will not allow anyone to break ranks without sanction
.....
The system has to change before anything else will.



piggymalone, wirral says...
6:16pm Sat 23 Jan 10

Couldnt agree more with Loose Cannon. The political system as described is undemocratic and corrupt but the only way we, the public, can do anything about the system is to use our votes to effectively get rid of party politics. I have for a long time argued the point that at least independent candidates are free to vote with their consciences (and hopefully with the majority of the electorates wishes) without being told what to do by party whips. I would urge every voter to very seriously consider the consequences of voting for a political party. This is not the only case in Wirral Councils recent history that has highlighted the corruption within.Couldnt agree more with Loose Cannon. The political system as described is undemocratic and corrupt but the only way we, the public, can do anything about the system is to use our votes to effectively get rid of party politics. I have for a long time argued the point that at least independent candidates are free to vote with their consciences (and hopefully with the majority of the electorates wishes) without being told what to do by party whips. I would urge every voter to very seriously consider the consequences of voting for a political party. This is not the only case in Wirral Councils recent history that has highlighted the corruption within.


Jeff Green, says...
7:34pm Sat 23 Jan 10
I continue to have documents I have requested from senior Council Officers regarding this case denied to me.Please be assured that we are determined to get to the bottom of what I believe to be a most shameful case. We have called for a full and independent inquiry and and if we take control of the Council in May that is what we will have.


Cllr Chris Blakeley, Moreton says...
7:50pm Sat 23 Jan 10

Can't be any clearer than that!


piggymalone, wirral says...
8:15pm Sat 23 Jan 10
Jeff, you may get some of the documents you require direct from Martin Morton and any more incriminating ones have probably shredded by now. Thanks to you and Chris for commenting.


piggymalone, wirral says...
8:40pm Sat 23 Jan 10

Jeff, just another point. If you did take overall control of the council next May and certain parties are castigated by an independent enqiury, would you then be in a position to fire the implicated officers (and indeed would you) and then what action could be taken against councillors who were proved to be complicant in the affair.


hugo2008, Wirral says...
9:02pm Sat 23 Jan 10
Jeff Green and Chris Blakeley, Put a statement in the party manifest for the next election that a complete enquiry into the Martin Morton issue will be made. The findings will be made fully public with no Exceptions. And if any guilty parties inside Council or outside Council are found they will be suitably dealt with or punished.This is not a witch hunt, its Justice.Do this and you will be garanteed to control Council on behalf of the vast majority of Wirral Population.



Veridici, Wirral says...
9:11pm Sat 23 Jan 10

Those are very pertinent questions, piggymalone, and I eagerly await Jeff's answer, too..I also have a question for Jeff; if the Conservatives do take control of the Council will they overturn Bill Norman's perverse ruling that one set of vulnerable people cannot be assessed retrospectively, and another set can be, thus ensuring that the sixteen abused or their estates will receive FULL reimbursement.
.
Whilst I largely agree with your stated aims of independent Councillors and MPs, piggymalone, voting for one may be counter-productive in this case, in view of Jeff's statement.
.
However, we shouldn't have to consider voting along political lines simply to ensure we get a genuinely independent inqiry, should we?


hugo2008, Wirral says...
10:04pm Sat 23 Jan 10

Deafening Silence has been obvious from Local Councillors, and Wirral Mps.Yet some Councillors are very willing to change the topic of conversation or debate when asked about the Martin Morton incident of Whistle Blowing.As far as the MPs on Wirral are concerned two down and two to go, we could be getting closer to a better system for accountability, Hope So.



Ivorromaleyn, New Brighton says...
10:35pm Sat 23 Jan 10

I agree with Loose Cannon. While party political whips control our elected representatives our (democracy) is suspect. I am a new comer to this area and am free of any loyalty to any of the parties involved. Today we have the example of the suppression of the report on child abuse by children suppressed by the Doncaster Council. Then look at Torbay where Council employees are subject to up to 20% pay cuts. The only people exempt are of course the Council executives.There is something very wrong with this democracy. I suggest NEVER EVER voting for a candidate subject to Party whip control. THEN the politicians will listen.To be fair, it is not all the politicians fault.I am now nearly eighty and have watched a nation battered by war vote for decency and a welfare state. THEN we got spoilt and refused to vote for honest candidates who told us hard truth. I remember Churchill promising blood sweat and tears and we backed him. Our children vote for the candidates who lie in order to tell us what we want to hear. (Sorry it’s called Spin now) even lies have been adjusted to be palatable. Don’t vote for party politicians even if that is in some cases unfair. We need a new kind of politics and you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.AFTER the election we will learn facts that have been suppressed and they will be selectively fed to us by the victorious party. Clean up politics and refuse to vote in an undemocratic election fiddle. Vote Independent and WATCH him or HER.



glenn, moreton, says...
10:55pm Sat 23 Jan 10

Wise words Ivor - someone who has actually seen it all before. We need more like you who have the voice of experience from years of seeing politicians come and go.



PaulCa, Wallasey says...
11:06pm Sat 23 Jan 10

86 comments now. "Former Council Leader Begins 5 Year Term in Walton" wouldn't get that much interest.



ghawkins, wirral says...
11:27pm Sat 23 Jan 10

If Doncaster Social Services can be effectively taken over and run via Central Government for its mishaps and incompetence, then something needs to happen here. I would also like to remind people of the murder of Stephen Croft two years ago. The boy who did it was supposed to be in the care of Wirral Social Services - Steve Maddox promised that an serious case review would take place ... have we ever heard anything more?Questions need answering, and I would take this to Minister for Local Government/Communities, as afterall this is a Labour council, whilst I think the national press might be interested; given the current climate.



ghawkins, wirral says...
11:37pm Sat 23 Jan 10

Ah hang on, I think I've found the story"Assessments of Smith and his family were poor and not even kept in a file. Opportunities to assess risk were missed because Wirral Youth Offending Service knew nothing about a string of offences he committed while housed in Huddersfield. Despite a history of neglect, contact with Smith's family was increased in Wirral during summer and autumn 2007 - leading to an increase in aggression.Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1089570/Boy-13-beat-man-death-threw-bonfire-catalogue-care-failings.html#ixzz0dTvdzswt



torswood, prenton says...
6:39am Sun 24 Jan 10

Clearly we all owe Mr Morton a great debt of gratitude.The exposure of institutional "corruption" does not bode well for the other council services or the powers that are who operate them.


hugo2008, Wirral says...
9:35am Sun 24 Jan 10

Mr Marles, Just out of interest what has been the longest running or most contributed too theme that this excellent facilitiy has been subject too.
This one seems to be headed towards the 100 mark, fair indication of how people feel I would guess.



MX, Wirral says...
9:35am Sun 24 Jan 10

Much respect to Ivor.The local council is a microcosm of the national one. Smoke (screen) and mirrors in a cesspit of spin is their MO.
It's gratifying to see so many people engaged in this debate,standing up,speaking out and saying "ENOUGH!" . We owe it to Ivor and his generation.
There was a time (I can dimly remember) where there were standards in public life and people did the "honourable thing" or indeed "the right thing" as it's been termed.
No more it would seem. I have seen the future!, tinpot Alastair Campbells running the show.
My.my it's Machiavelli made flesh.



PaulCa, Wallasey says...
10:19am Sun 24 Jan 10

But to call it Machiavellian is to imply we're dealing with a sophisticated level of intelligence. This bullying investigation may prove how bungling and incompetent they have been - one way or the other.

But to call it Machiavellian is to imply we're dealing with a sophisticated level of intelligence. This bullying investigation may prove how bungling and incompetent they have been - one way or the other.

JD1986, says...
5:21pm Sun 24 Jan 10

Martin for PM!

lordthomas, birkenhead says...
11:49pm Sun 24 Jan 10

To use a now well known comment used by all parties in westminsterWIRRAL COUNCIL "IS NOT FIT FOR PORPOSE"
Who chooses the security codes this one "ROOF- FULL lol

PaulCa, Wallasey says...
11:56pm Sun 24 Jan 10

Wirral Council used to have a manager, a Mr Dolphin - who wasn't fit for porpoise.



Spiffy, Wallasey says...
10:10am Mon 25 Jan 10

hugo2008 wrote:Mr Marles, Just out of interest what has been the longest running or most contributed too theme that this excellent facilitiy has been subject too.This one seems to be headed towards the 100 mark, fair indication of how people feel I would guess.Cheers to Leigh Marles and the Globe.I fully expect this comment to be deleted but will post it anyway. Perhaps someone will see it for a few minutes and be aware of what is going on here if they are not already.
...
Hugo the number of comments actually passed 100 days ago. Certain so-called "libellous" posts where deleted and this section continue to be censored.
...
I am disgusted at the globe's complicity in suppression of information freely available to the public. If only they knew where to look - or if only someone was allowed to tell them.
...
Pass Leigh Marles and his team another flamethrower the one used here must be almost out of fuel by now.
...
Evidently the truth will not out - not here. The bookburning is well and truly under way. ...
Shame on you wirral globe.



PaulCa, Wallasey says...
11:15am Mon 25 Jan 10

I'm actually quite surprised that the story has been given this much publicity. Often in these situations, when pressured, a local rag will back down and withdraw to its primary role as an 'ad-sheet'. The editor and his staff should be congratulated, because ultimately if someone moves against them by withdrawing advertising revenue, careers can be damaged and jobs lost. The worlds of business and local democracy are intertwined. Editorial independence can suffer as a result. Debate and transparency is a threat to the villains at the centre of this affair. Having integrity and standards, and giving the local public an opportunity to voice their opinions will make you a target, as sure as night follows day. Martin Morton knows this better than anyone.



Spiffy, Wallasey says...
11:27am Mon 25 Jan 10

PaulCa - yup you're right. Freedom of The Press is another thing that has become a contradiction in terms.
...
The abuse of countless vulnerable people (and children) by authorities well paid to care for and protect them actually matters very little in the grand scheme of things.
...
The money wins out every time. Live and learn eh.



Leigh Marles, says...
3:58pm Mon 25 Jan 10

What's "going on here" Spiffy, is that without the Globe breaking this story in the first place and following up its many twists and turns since, you wouldn't have had a clue about it.The stories and Martin's personal article remain untouched - it's libellous comments that I delete, as I'm legally responsible for this website.Sorry and all that.



hugo2008, Wirral says...
6:36pm Mon 25 Jan 10

Fair comment Leigh, most of us do have respect for the Globe, and You are quite right to defend your position in this all to often litigious world we live in.Feelings do run high when mere mortals like us see the rich and influential get away with absolute murder, if its any consolation the other free paper on Wirral, are very afraid of allowing the rank and file from expressing views so readily as the Globe.Keep up the good work, even if I do not always agree with the Globe, I do have an opportunity to say so.Spiffy, do the right thing as MX Wirral suggests and apologise, Leigh Marles may just have saved your bacon.



MX, Wirral says...
7:02pm Mon 25 Jan 10

How appropriate that The Globe editor should have the 100th post!.He's absolutely right about the Globe,we wouldn't have known any of it,let alone the half of it.I think some of the controversial comments/revelations are borne of frustration rather than malice. I'm certain I didn't ask Spiffy to apologise though (apologies if I did!).It's clear that a lot of people know the real story and it's a now a case of making the connections. Surely there can be no hiding place as this scandal continues to unravel.Picking up on what Leigh Marles has written I anticipate plenty more "twists and turns" in this saga.Fasten your seat belts.



piggymalone, wirral says...
7:48pm Mon 25 Jan 10

I very much respect Spiffys contributions to this site and would hate this saga to get out of hand and cause the loss of a valuable contributor.
Leigh and Justin are very approachable guys and it may be that if Spiffy had an off the record conversation with them they may be able to understand her point of view and indeed visa versa. MX is undoubtedly right that the removed comments (including some of mine) and indeed borne out of frustration caused by....well you know who



Spiffy, Wallasey says...
8:04pm Mon 25 Jan 10

Fairplay Leigh I've been a brat. I will apologise - without prompting - for the entire post that suggests the globe and its named team is complicit in suppressing information. On reflection "complicit" really is not the appropriate word and was unfair. Please, feel free to delete the entire post.
...
It was borne of irrititation at the random deleting of comments in the name of "libel" where none was immediately evident and query did not merit a detailed response.
...
It was also borne of a well deserved contempt and disgust of this council and previous documented abuses of the vulnerable. No names mentioned this time.
...
I do still query why the merest mention of a name - even in the absence of any allegation - would warrant deletion on libel grounds but concede that your liability for such is greater than mine under the circumstances.
...
I also suspect that for you to explain in any further detail may in itself prove libellous. What a tangled web these politicians weave and we are both caught in it albeit on different levels..
..
I will try to behave in future.


PaulCa, Wallasey says...
9:51am Tue 26 Jan 10

Here's a statement from Wirral Council's recent People Stategy: "The People Strategy enables us to drive improvements through people which will enable us to deliver strategic objectives locally and ensure that we embrace key national agenda and deliver on these priorities and targets. With a clear strategy in place it will be easier to focus resources on those people management interventions that will really make a difference to performance within the Council. This will also help to improve the consistency of people management practices and ensure that all people management activities complement each other."
They've admitted to breaking the law. We know we're dealing with crooks and I'm assuming that a good example of 'people management intervention' would be the issuing of threatening edicts to staff, telling them not to approach the press.... or else.



PaulCa, Wallasey says...
10:04am Tue 26 Jan 10

And further down....."the People Strategy fosters effective team building through involving others and works towards creating a no-blame environment......."security code "pain-over"



Spiffy, Wallasey says...
11:06am Tue 26 Jan 10

PaulCa wrote:And further down....."the People Strategy fosters effective team building through involving others and works towards creating a no-blame environment......."security code "pain-over"
I see, if one is not to blame then no one is to blame. A covering of one's collective a*ses, so to speak....You couldn't make it up.



PaulCa, Wallasey says...
11:32am Tue 26 Jan 10

Spot on Spiffy. No blame, no pain. The only a*se not covered was Martin's.



MX, Wirral says...
1:13pm Tue 26 Jan 10

All I can read PaulCa is blah,blah,blah.Strategies - tick,Policies - tick, Procedures -tick.People Strategy! - you couldn't make it up .They don't want thinking,feeling people they want automatons where you press a button for the required answer.



PaulCa, Wallasey says...
1:29pm Tue 26 Jan 10

MX - The "People Strategy" is an avalanche of two-word soundbites. I know it's fashionable to cower behind jargon, but Wirral appear to rely on a brimming bucket of verbal diarrhoea:
THEMED TARGETS,
GUIDING PRINCIPLES,
SHARED LEARNING,
STRONG FOCUS,
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT,
KEY DRIVERS,
KEY THEMES,
KEY TARGETS,
KEY COMPONENTS,
KEY MECHANISMS,
KEY OBJECTIVES,
STRATEGIC PATHWAY,
EMBRACING DIVERSITY,
PRIORITY OUTCOMES,
MEASURABLE OUTCOMES,
FUNDAMENTAL BEDROCK,
IMPROVED CLARITY,
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS,
ORGANISATIONAL COMPETENCIES,
CORPORATE COMPETENCIES,
CORPORATE BEHAVIOURS,
CORE PROCESSES,
EMBRACE CHANGE,
EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP,
COLLABORATIVE WORKING,
DELIVERABLES IDENTIFIED,
BALANCE INITIATIVES,
SUPPORTING TOOLKITS.
If you wrote all these down on pieces of paper, gathered them up and threw them like confetti, it wouldn't matter where they landed. You would still end up with an 'effective' PEOPLE STRATEGY.

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