Labour Wastes Hundreds of Thousands on Lengthy Staff Appeals.

3.24.01pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 10th Apr 2008

Labour Waste Hundreds of Thousands by Allowing Two Appeals to Sacked Staff

Manchester Liberal Democrat Leader Simon Ashley has called on Manchester City Council to review its disciplinary procedures after it was revealed that the Council spent over £300,000 just on one case, that of former Whalley Range Head Dame Jean Else.

Figures released to Cllr Ashley by the City Treasurer confirm that there have been 33 employment appeals going to the second stage in the past three years, lasting 268 working days, and taking months to organise, whilst the staff member remains on full pay.

Councillor Simon Ashley stated:

"Two changes need to be made to Manchester's employment appeals process. The first is to make sure disciplinary hearings are arranged quicker. The longer a hearing takes, the longer staff are sat at home on full pay, and the longer the staff have this cloud over their heads. A quicker hearing is fairer both to the staff member and to the Council Tax payer."

"The second change now needed is a review of whether or not we want to continue to be one of the few remaining Councils with two appeal stages for most staff levels. Removing the second appeal would save the council hundreds of thousands of pounds - money which could be better spent on frontline public services."

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