Council ban for bully (From Echo)
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Council ban for bully
2:40pm Wednesday 20th January 2010 in News By Sarah Calkin
Six-month ban for bullying – Tory councillor Bill Sharp
A CONTROVERSIAL Tory councillor has been suspended for six months for bullying a senior council officer.
Outspoken Bill Sharp, 62, has been found guilty of a long-running campaign of harassment and intimidation against top official Ian Burchill.
Mr Sharp, of Softwater Lane, Hadleigh, was also found guilty of backing a plan for a hotel by Benfleet’s Sadlers Farm roundabout, put forward by a developer friend.
Six months is the maximum a councillor can be suspended without being removed from office. Yesterday, the council's standards sub-committee was told Hadleigh councillor Mr Sharp had repeatedly undermined director of environment Mr Burchill.
James Findlay QC, for the council, said: “This is indicative of a campaign of intimidation against Mr Burchill. It’s the worst form of intimidation and brings Councillor Sharp into disrepute.”
Yesterday’s hearing found Mr Sharp guilty of five allegations: l Bullying Mr Burchill and treating him with disrespect l Undermining him professionally l Intimidating him by calling for his dismissal l Failing to accept advice which, by law, he could not ignore l Seeking an advantage for himself and others by pressing for the hotel plans to be included in a key council planning strategy document.
His friend and associate Brian White was behind the plan, the hearing was told.
Mr Findlay said: “He continued to lobby for a site in which he clearly had a significant interest.”
The panel heard there was a history of conflict and animosity between Mr Sharp and Mr Burchill, going back to the councillor’s time as planning chairman.
In her report, Karen Shorter, the official who investigated the allegations, said: “Matters were personalised and he was determined to undermine Mr Burchill’s professional expertise at every opportunity.”
Mr Sharp was not at the hearing, but later said: “I am not guilty. I think it’s much better to question, if you have an opinion. I believe I was doing what the electorate wanted.”
Last July, he was suspended for eight weeks for insulting Mr Burchill and breaching planning rules.
Comments(14)
ddt
says...
4:50pm Wed 20 Jan 10
Does this mean there will be a review on some of the now dubious planning meetings that have been held?
Buffalo Bill
says...
5:37pm Wed 20 Jan 10
Strangely he does not appear at the hearing.
Having met him on a number of occasions, I would have to say that I am not surprised he was found guilty of these disgraceful things. (For the second time "breach of planning rules")... I find him to be a most distasteful person
If he had ANY decency or any HONOUR he would have either appeared at the hearing to state his case or would have resigned.
Still from the photo he looks like a certain member of the Addams family!
Talking of family, isn't his daughter on Spink's payroll and his ex- shacked up with him? Classy!
I am reminded of this quote:
No scoundrel is so stupid as to not find a reason for his vile conduct.
Bill, do us a favour mate, for the sake of the party, just go, your conduct makes us looks like rogues.
tracer
says...
7:20pm Wed 20 Jan 10
I also have met Bill Sharp on several occasions and find him forthright and honest,an unusual trait among politicians I know..
I am told that although he did not attend the hearing he did answer all charges by letter.
Perhaps Buffalo should question why on earth a QC was paid for out of council tax money to prosecute this hard working Councillor. Now Bill is not there will anyone else have the nerve to ask how much the whole process cost ? I doubt it.
WHY
says...
7:43pm Wed 20 Jan 10
ddt wrote:ddt trust the Council Hahaha not with the officers dominating the Puppet Cabinet system, from what I hear the whole hearing was flawed.
At last the truth is out, maybe the residents of Castle Point will begin to trust the council though there is a long long way to go. Does this mean there will be a review on some of the now dubious planning meetings that have been held?
ddt
says...
9:40pm Wed 20 Jan 10
I was being cynical I totally distrust this council
WHY
says...
10:47pm Wed 20 Jan 10
then I agree.
a change is required more enthersis on improving and protecting the Borough and not just improving the Councils image to the auditors.
If we loose Cllrs like Cllr Sharp the image may improve on paper but Castle Point will spiral downwards as a place to live.
jj123
says...
11:00pm Wed 20 Jan 10
If anyone is being bullied... it's
Mr Sharp. Who gets maximum suspension for bullying! It's like being back at school.
And as for having a relationship with certain builders... Er so what! I'm sure the vote by Mr Sharp on any decision on planning is such a small percentage that it could never sway the whole commitee. If you look at the facts it's quite clear that Mr Sharp is a pain to all those people on the council gravy train because he asks questions that get their backs up. Mr Sharp I hope you don't resign as castle point will be worse for it.
Steve Phillips
says...
8:48am Thu 21 Jan 10
ddt
says...
9:28am Thu 21 Jan 10
Keep a Sharp lookout
says...
10:20am Thu 21 Jan 10
Buffalo Bill
says...
12:30pm Thu 21 Jan 10
For those of you sticking up for Bill, I would suggest you (and he) reads this:
http://www.standards
forengland.gov.uk/
For those of you who would care to join me in making a complaint against Councillor Sharp, please go here and he will be properly investigated
http://www.standards
forengland.gov.uk/Ca
seinformationReporti
ng/Makingacomplainta
boutyourcouncillor/
Lets all make a stand and get this man properly investigated
Sim0n
says...
9:21pm Thu 21 Jan 10
Not many of them turn up for meetings. Cllr Sharp does and responds to emails not many do .
My advice to people is sure complain about your Councillor if they are not answering your concerns or not standing up to Officers inforcing their will on to the Borough.
Think about what you wish for Buffalo Bill.
Buffalo Bill
says...
5:55pm Mon 1 Feb 10
thank you for your advice, I have taken it and made a complaint against this buffoon of a bullying councillor!
Answering emails does not a good councillor make. Neither does "allegedly" being in cahoots with certain developers.
He should go but does not have the decency to do so!
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Sim0n says...
4:48pm Wed 20 Jan 10