A LEADING Somerset Conservative has distanced himself from an ‘unsubstantiated’ and ‘inappropriate’ press release – issued by his own party.
The release, from the Tories’ national press office, attacked redundancy payments to non-elected members of Somerset Council.
Councillor David Fothergill, who leads the Tories on the authority, has since disowned the document – despite being quoted in it.
Somerset Council has accepted dozens of requests for voluntary redundancy from staff as it looks to address a £100 million funding shortfall.
The release attacked payouts to council workers who took redundancy as part of the ‘transformation’ programme, calling them ‘golden handshakes’, despite Somerset Council telling your Leveller the sums were contractually obligated.
Your Leveller has declined to repeat the name of the officer in connection with the comments in the Conservative Party press release.
Former Taunton Deane MP and Conservative candidate for the new Taunton & Wellington seat, Rebecca Pow, is quoted as saying a council employee – named in the release – had “trousered” his redundancy package, despite being “the man who failed to tackle the Lib Dem’s £100 million blackhole”.
When asked about the controversy by your Leveller, Ms Pow did not respond. Instead, a Conseravtive Party spokesperson did not address the naming of the officer in the release, instead highlighting the financial struggles of Somerset Council.
But the attack prompted anger in some quarters, as the person named is not an elected politician who makes decisions on council finances, but an officer, working at the direction of councillors. He has no party affiliation and is not a political appointment.
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And after the release was issued, Cllr Fothergill said he had apologised to the officer named in the document.
“Late last week a press release was issued by the Conservative press office which named a respected and hard-working Somerset Council officer,” he said.
“The release made various unsubstantiated statements and the tone was inappropriate.
“While I did not have prior sight of the press release, or sign it off, I would like to unequivocally distance myself from both the tone and nature of those criticisms.
“I have personally apologised to the individual concerned for any distress that has been caused.”
Somerset Council confirmed to your Leveller that the terms of the redundancy package detailed in the press release were contractually obligated – and there was no suggestion of any improper conduct.
The authority declined to comment on any other accusations in the document.
And a Conservative Party spokesperson said: “David Fothergill has made his statement in regards to this matter.
“The Liberal Democrat administration on Somerset Council have managed to create a £100 million black hole in the space of a year, and now they want to do the same to the country by increasing taxes on working people.
Rebecca Pow with Rishi Sunak
“There are serious questions the Lib Dems need to answer on the state of the Council’s finances and the impact this is having on local people. Residents are feeling the savage cuts they are making to public services and as a direct result of the Lib Dems – council tax for hundreds of thousands of people will soar.
“A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to put Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street. Everyone would pay the price for that, taking families back to square one with £2,094 of higher taxes, a Retirement Tax on pensioners and a VAT raid on private schools driving higher class sizes in state schools across Britain.
“Only Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives have a clear plan and will deliver the bold action needed in this uncertain world to secure the future of Britain.”
Candidates in the Taunton & Wellington constituency at the July 4 general election:
Gideon Amos: Liberal Democrats
Charles Hansard: Reform UK
Rebecca Pow: Conservative and Unionist Party
Rochelle Russell: Communist Party of Britain
Ryan Trower: Green Party
Brenda Dawn Weston: Labour Party
The Conservatives had mismanaged County finances for an extended period and as is often the case, the incoming administration has been blamed. What is more, we can have services without paying for them in some way – taxes or stealth taxes (including subscription or insurances).
The ex conservative leader so scc was good at spending council funds and feathering his own nest, at the expense of any individuals that may challenge him. Check his track record and make your own decision about this man.