WHISTLEBLOWER Cllr Mitch Wicking has been hailed a hero for helping the Free Press to reveal last week the bumper pay-offs given to West Somerset Council's former chief executive and finance chief. His decision to publicly criticise the council's decision to pay-off Tim Howes and Rod Latham at a combined cost of almost £400,000 came just days before councillors are asked to appoint a troubleshooter to steer the authority out of troubled waters. The services of preferred interim manager John Neal will cost £30,000 for just 46 days' work. But employing Dr Neal at the equivalent of £650 a day will not cost the council a penny as his pay will be covered by a grant from the Government Office South West. The council has only been able to tap into the funding because Mr Howes and Mr Latham no longer work for the authority. This week West Quantock member Cllr Wicking said he was convinced he had done the right thing in revealing some of the financial details of the pay- offs, reported in last week's Free Press. Readers have also put pen to paper in support of Cllr Wicking, praising him for his courage and calling on his fellow councillors to support his actions. In a letter to the Free Press, Cllr Wicking said: "I am writing to extend my sincere thanks to friends, acquaintances, parish constituents and members of the public who have expressed their support for the stance I took in breaching West Somerset Council's code of conduct by revealing some of the confidential details of the payments made to former chief executive Tim Howes and his deputy Rod Latham. "The support has been overwhelmingly favourable and I am even more convinced and satisfied the right thing was done in the interests of the public. "I hope taking such action will spark a badly needed review of our local authority, its role in our community and its functions as a public service provider." Cllr Wicking is likely to be reported to the local government watchdog the Standards Board of England for leaking confidential information and could face a lengthy ban from office. But West Somerset residents have been rallying behind him and have called on the Standards Board to think twice before censuring Cllr Wicking. Reader Roger Kent, of the Alcombe House Hotel, told the Free Press: "This ethical councillor, far from fearing the end of his representation of Bicknoller, Sampford Brett and East and West Quantoxhead, should by now be staggering under the weight of letters, emails and phone calls from the inhabitants of these wards, offering congratulations, unstinting support and assistance. "If, as he anticipates, he will be hauled before the Standards Board, it is hoped that that illustrious body will look at the bigger picture and the motivation behind the compulsive need Mitch Wicking felt to make this brave stand against what he rightly knew to be an appalling decision." Another reader, Fay White, of Sandyway, echoed his sentiments and said Cllr Wicking should be applauded for his courage. "Regardless of possible consequences to himself, Cllr Wicking has done what every honest member of the public would have wished to have done in his place. "Instead of hypocritical censure, Cllr Wicking should be cherished as our representative." And Sylvia Day, of Washford, said it was vital a troubleshooter was drafted in to oversee the council. "I am writing in support of Cllr Mitch Wicking in his attempts to cast light into the shadows behind the closed doors and dark corners of the West Somerset Council cabinet and sympathise with him on the difficulties he has trying to represent his ward," she said. "I support the idea of bringing in a troubleshooter - if one is appointed I hope he or she will be given all the necessary information and not fed with dribs and drabs as and when members of the inner circle deem expedient." If councillors approve the appointment of Dr Neal when they meet on Wednesday, his key duties will include: l Embedding a new way of working with an emphasis on leadership, teamwork, trust and respect. l Refining and focusing the council's short term improvement programme, with particular emphasis on financial standing and performance management. l Undertaking a review of the council's internal organisation structure with a view to creating capacity and introducing accountability aligned to deliver on the council's corporate priorities. l Considering the most suitable longer-term plan for a more integrated service delivery model across Somerset, including the appropriateness of offers of assistance in the medium term from Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset County Council. Adrian Dyer, the council's temporary head of paid service, will tell councillors both they and the council's officers should be more focused and have a clearer understanding of their own and each other's roles by the end of Dr Neal's proposed 46 day stint. Dr Neal was shortlisted for the job following a series of interviews conducted by a panel consisting of a cross party group of councillors - Independent Coalition members Keith Ross, Simon Stokes, Doug Ross and Kate Kravis with Conservatives Christine Lawrence, Roger Webber, Tim Taylor and Christopher White. Mr Dyer and corporate director Bruce Lang were also part of the panel.
