Wirral Council 13th February 2012 Special Council meeting on Anna Klonowski Associates Ltd report
Channel: John Brace
Date: 2012-02-16

Wirral Council 13th February 2012 Special Council meeting on Anna Klonowski Associates Ltd report (high quality version)

Council Chamber, Wallasey Town Hall, Brighton Street, Seacombe, CH44 8ED

There is a problem with the sound on this video. For the sound play http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7b3B5LWzNQ .

the first of a Special Councils. Now we move to the second Special Council. Can I start again with apologies for absence? Councillor
Gilchrist again. And declarations of interest please. In that case I have a statement that I would like to make, if you will bear with me while I read it to you, bear with me it's on the wrong side.

Errm, I'm aware there may be some concern about my involvement in this part of tonight's meeting and whether or not there's a requirement on me to declare a prejudicial interest. I'm going to make a statement which sets out what my position will be and the thinking and the advice I've had in which has influenced me in reaching a decision as to what my involvement should properly be.

It's a statement by me and not part of any debate which may follow. In reaching my decision I have consulted the Director of Law, who at my request will repeat the advice he gave me in a few moments.

I've taken advice from an advisor from Standards for England, which accorded with that given to me by the Director of Law and I have consulted the Mayor's guidance handbook formula for civic ceremonial. Events covered in this part of the Klonowski report have been the subject now of several internal investigations, three
external investigations, a grievance hearing and a disciplinary hearing.

Quite a number of Members will have been involved in some way, whether through involvement with the Working Party on Charging, involved with the internal or external investigations, have given evidence to the Klonowski inquiry or as part of the panel for the grievance hearing or disciplinary hearing and they may well have sought advice as I have done.

I was Lead Member for part of the time covered by the report, I gave evidence at a disciplinary hearing at the request of Members of the panel and I am currently Mayor and these are the areas on which I ... Also I have previously declared a prejudicial interest on 
the advice of the Director of Law because of my friendship with a former Director of Social Services.

Meeting continues a week later at http://youtu.be/VxbUofOoLKk .