FoI news
Trawling through Cornwall Council's log of answers published in response to Freedom of Information requests, I noted this one about out-of-court settlements.
The answer shows that over the past five years the council (and the former county council) paid more than £473,000 in out-of-court settlements. There were a total of 40 claims, or potential claims, and nearly all of them involved allegations of unfair dismissal and sex discrimination.
That's an average of eight claims per year, which in an organisation which employs more than 19,000 is perhaps only to be expected. In 2009, the first year of Cornwall Council, 18 claims were settled at a cost of £203,215. Last year the figure was £124,583 for five out-of-court settlements.
I'm BBC Radio Devon’s Graham Smith, blogging on news, views and some fresh insights into West Country life, particularly the way government works locally and nationally.
Comment number 1.
At 13:18 18th May 2011, John Macloud wrote:Any reply yet to your request for release the full results of the Council's latest employee survey?
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Comment number 2.
At 13:43 18th May 2011, Graham Smith wrote:The council did publish the employee survey a few weeks ago and I reported its findings on BBC Radio Cornwall. I think it's probably on the council website - if I can find the link I'll post it here.
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Comment number 3.
At 22:57 20th May 2011, Ruth Lewarne wrote:Alec R. was a little sensitive about the suggestion from me that he might be sexist, yet he demotes the only women in his cabinet, saying that he promotes on ability and I'm the real sexist! So no women in the Tory or Independent groups - come anything near the sheer glorious competence of Graeme, Mark or Armand?
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