A FURIOUS political row has flared at Warrington after the surprise departure of a senior council officer..
Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties have joined forces to accuse the ruling Labour Group of “vindictiveness” in getting rid of Rachel Robins, the council’s head of People and Improvement.
Labour has hit back accusing the two opposition parties of “blatant hypocrisy” and carrying out their own “nights of 
the long knives” when they controlled the council.
In a joint statement, Lib Dem leader Ian Marks (right) and Conservative leader Keith Bland said: “We are appalled at what is going on at the council. It is frightening to see the ruling Labour group behaving in such an inept and bullying manner.
“She (Ms Robins) is an excellent officer and has achieved a great deal at the council.
” Under our direction she master-minded the Equal Pay negotiations which Labour had failed to do during their previous years in power.
“She was the driving force behind the Total Rewards Package recently described by union leaders as ‘unique to Warrington and the ultimate document of modernisation, which makes Warrington the employer of choice’.
“We are at a loss to understand what she has done wrong and why she is going. We can only assume she is being made a scapegoat for the inability of an incompetent Labour leadership to negotiate Terms and Conditions savings with the workforce.
” She is not going as a result of a review of senior management because this has not taken place. Very little if any of the £2 million savings planned for this year will be achieved which means more cuts to services and compulsory redundancies. Failure to agree is a massive missed opportunity and we are sure that had we still been in control, we would have been able to negotiate an agreement.
“When senior managers leave in these circumstances there is always a huge cost. In the current economic climate, how can they possibly justify what must be a six figure sum. The money should be spent on services for people in the town.
“The Labour Group is acting in a vindictive way and showing a complete lack of understanding of the way modern organisations in the public sector work. They are stuck in the past and fail to realise there is much more to her department than old-style personnel and welfare.
” High quality management skills are needed to enable organisations to be transformed, the culture changed and to 
negotiate complex deals with the unions and workforce. She had these qualities in abundance but now she has gone. We have no confidence that Labour knows what it is doing.”
Leader of the council Terry O’Neill, (left) condemned the opposition group leaders for the “blatant hypocrisy”.
He said he had explained the position to them and they had responded by embarking on a “hollow political charade.
Cllr O’Neill said: “The officer concerned has left the organisation on standard redundancy terms. There is no malice or reprisals and it is insincere for them to suggest otherwise.
“People in glass houses really should not throw stones. The last administration had a revolving door policy for senior officers – unfortunately it only led to the exit. Their leadership was directly responsible for the loss of no less than four directors, six assistant directors and two senior HR officers. That looks to be more than a little careless!
“It is rank hypocrisy for them to now be questioning this recent departure. If the Lib Dems and Tories are so concerned about costs, perhaps they could tell us how much was paid out to these officers during their ‘Nights of the Long Knives’?”
Cllr O’Neill said Cllr Marks and Cllr Bland were supposed to be leading separate parties, but appeared to be joined at the hip.
“If they really were concerned about funding for services here in Warrington, then shouldn’t they be asking questions of their masters in Westminster, rather than staging this little stunt? Their Government is slashing the funding for this council – that is what really hurts our communities and yet we don’t ever see them standing up for Warrington.”
Row after council officer's shock departure
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
9 Comments
I can give you the names of at least two other senior officers who should have been removed before now! God alone knows why they are still in situ because the populace of Warrington do not understand why.
500 Individuals sent packing to a body that just wants to make a buck or two – Labour councillors doing well out of positions – Cllr Oneill asks Lib Dems and others a question on money – who is meant to be in control??
Well Warrington you get what you vote for at a local level – I smell a rat – I think this person is following the letter of the law and someone doesn’t like it – So lets get rid is Labours battle cry
iTS LABOUR ONCE AGAIN SAYING DO AS WE SAY NOT AS WE DO –
She may well have been the driving force behind the Total Rewards Package, but what use is that now you are trying to take it apart!
What are "standard redundancy terms" for senior council officers in monetary terms ? It would have been nice to hear what the officerr herself has to say. Is she happy to have gone or not ? Maybe she wanted to go and/or had had enough who knows as it doesn't say specifically and as usual all we are reading is a political slanging match between the leaders of the parties. AND I AGREE WITH CLEOPATRA 100% !!!
another day, another way that Labour let down Warrington!
what has this poor woman done to deserve this, just before CHRISTMAS?
Terry o’neill should be ashamed of himself, but is he? NO! He walks away smiling because he isn’t losing his job. well done to Ian Marks for being speaking out for warrington…. is Labour going to tell us how much this is costing? A six figure sum? don’t dodge the question Labour… TELL US! if you are defending the decision, you wont be ashamed to say………
This, surely, is the tip of the iceberg! What about the high ranking Officers of the Council who have demonstrated gross incompetence. Is this the first of many? What about the officers who were granted a 9% pay rise for their incompetence? When are the "elected" Councillors going to get a grip? Warrington residents are getting a very raw deal from its Council. It certainly is hipocrisy for Councillors Marks and Bland to be crying "foul". They had their chance and simply blew it. Now its time for others to put right the damage. Time is running out and the elections in May 2012 will be an indication of local feelings. It is true that you get what you vote for. It's the apathy that is the problem. If residents really do want positive action from WBC then they do have to vote in large numbers and not stay silent. We can live in hope!
How much has Ms. Robins' departure costs? Just think Labour – how many hard working staff you could get rid of in the future with what I assume was a massive pay off given to her. Lots more will have to go with the mis-management of this administration, and they won't have done anything wrong either!
Actually I think it’s this and the previous administration which have mismanaged this town. There has always been plenty of money for senior officers to enjoy huge pay rises under all parties. Nine per cent last year and more to come, I’m sure.
Not been for a while, but nothing's changed. All the Warrington councilors and ilk can do is criticise the actions of each other with petty slagging matches. This is a typical example. How about they just have policies and let the voters decide on that. They are all pathetic and none act on behalf of Warrington.