Council announces resignation of senior legal officer

by Lisa Reeves

Monday 11^th December 2017

Mon 11^th Dec 2017

Cheshire East Council has confirmed that one of its senior officers has resigned today (Monday, 11th December).

A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council, said: "The council's Director of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer, Bill Norman, has today tendered his resignation with immediate effect. Mr Norman's resignation has been accepted. Recruitment to the permanent position of Director of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer will be progressed as soon as is practicable."

The Chairman of the Investigation and Disciplinary Panel said: "The IDC met today and, as a result of this resignation, has concluded its business with regard to Mr Norman."

Bill Norman has been suspended since July - while an investigation into allegations relating to his conduct were undertaken.

Meanwhile, two other senior officers at Cheshire East Council remain suspended while an investigation into allegations relating to their conduct is undertaken.

Chief Executive Mike Suarez has been suspended since April and Chief Operating Officer Peter Bates was suspended last week following a meeting of Cheshire East Council's investigation and disciplinary committee.

Tags:: Cheshire East Council

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Bob Jones

Monday 11^th December 2017 at 7:46 pm

Hertfordshire, Wirral, Cheshire East.......where next?

DELETED ACCOUNT

Monday 11^th December 2017 at 7:57 pm

Does resignation mean he retains his pension provision, if so, - how much is that?

Nick Jones

Monday 11^th December 2017 at 9:27 pm

Same thing happened in Hereford same people same issues ... CEC have a great selection process ... but an expensive exit strategy,,,, Its hardly falling on his sword... but that didnt happen either at 'asleep on his watch Lyme Green', Royal London, Corefit, Never build on these fields Adlington Rd, Michael Jones leaving CEC and Tories ... etc etc etc .... just how much has this on the other debacles cost the tax payers ?
Absolutely disgraceful ... As an entity CEC is a truly Rotten Borough . .. I wonder what Ian Hislops view is ?

Dave Cash

Tuesday 12^th December 2017 at 2:56 pm

IMO no Senior Officer should be allowed to resign once suspended, pref without pay or Benefits, until the investigation is complete, when he could be dismissed 'with immediate effect' but no 'golden parachute'.

Pete Taylor

Tuesday 12^th December 2017 at 4:33 pm

Michael Jones has left the stinking ship too.

Tuesday 12^th December 2017 at 5:12 pm

I wonder at what pay off cost these two have gone to warrant a 4.9% council tax increase ?

Bob Bracegirdle

Wednesday 13^th December 2017 at 5:38 pm

Resignation should never mean curtailing the disciplinary procedure.

Gerald Norden

Wednesday 13^th December 2017 at 5:48 pm

The urgent need is to prevent so called "qualified" itinerant very costly "executives" from being offered or given a position without an absolute thorough investigation into their history.

This should entail a wide remit regarding, not just "high level" information, but those at lower levels whose voices are never considered.

Networking at the "High Levels" is the big danger, so the input of at least 10 personnel who have worked with a character for at least 2 years at all levels and will vouch of integrity of a candidate for employment, may be the solution before employment is confirmed.

Suspension for good reason should negate the prospect of a "golden departure package", and this must appear in a contract.

Julian Barlow

Wednesday 13^th December 2017 at 6:32 pm

This bloke had already wracked up three dubious, controversial and well documented departures from other local authorities before CEC gave him a job. Given that CEC are quick to tell us that they have to pay huge salaries to attract the very best, this character shouldn’t have even have made it through the interview. It’s depressing to think that those who considered employing this chap to be appropriate are the same people who are negotiating with property developers on our behalf.

Wednesday 13^th December 2017 at 7:37 pm

Clearly the incumbent CEC is totally unfit for purpose - all characters involved in recruitment at senior levels should be invited to resign.

Peter Davenport

Wednesday 13^th December 2017 at 8:47 pm

I have recently read in some of Cheshire East's publicity in Wilmslow libray that Cheshire East is a good place to live in. What seems to have been forgotten by its author, that Cheshire pays out , probably, the best redundancy package for recently newly employed executives and those who make gross errors. It is an unusual world we live in!

Steve 'Buck' Taylor

Wednesday 13^th December 2017 at 10:03 pm

Is it a case of "last man standing" or in this PC last person standing!!