Report finds bullying led to 'breakdown' at council

A report found 'bullying behaviour' at East Devon District Council

"Bullying behaviour" led to a breakdown of governance at a district council, a report has found.

The report, carried out by auditors, found evidence of an "unacceptable culture" at East Devon District Council.

Auditors found evidence of staff leaving the organisation and elected councillors not standing for re-election as a result of the bullying.

The leader of the council said a "wide range of actions" had been taken to ensure a good working culture.

The report, carried out by auditors Grant Thornton, said good governance of the council was "undermined by poor working relationships between certain officers and members".

The report said this led to "a breakdown in the operating effectiveness of some governance arrangements at the council" and pointed to "significant weakness" in governance arrangements from 2021 to 2023.

It said: "Whilst different respondents had differing views and perspectives of the reasons for the behaviour and the various allegations, it is clear to us that relationships within the council had resulted in an unacceptable culture."

The report noted the council had taken steps to "address the significant weaknesses we have identified" which was having a "positive impact".

However the auditors said "...until these issues have been addressed and embedded, arrangements remain inadequate".

In October, Mark Williams, the chief executive of East Devon District Council, resigned after more than 21 years in the job.

Paul Arnott, leader of East Devon District Council, said no members had been sanctioned for bullying since he took charge in May 2020

Paul Arnott, Liberal Democrat leader of the council, said it had been a "very challenging" time during Covid and coming out of the pandemic.

He said the council had adopted a series of measures in July 2023 to "refresh the whole council" and provide "strong, united and informed managerial and political leadership".

When asked if he had witnessed any bullying Mr Arnott said: "I think how people define bullying is a really complex subject.

"I've seen some pretty tough behaviour from both officers and members towards each other.

"I think in the past it's been characterised as the rough and tumble of politics.

"I've never liked that expression and I think a lot of people now identify that as bullying behaviour.

"I have not seen conduct at the council that I think has gone over into that and, most importantly, if it had our standards regime would definitely have picked up on that."

Mr Arnott said any staff could raise anonymous complaints and anyone found guilty of bullying "would have faced sanctions".

He said: "I can tell you as a fact, from the members' side, nobody has been found to have bullied at our council, certainly in the time I've been leader since May 2020."

The council has also had to deal with the repercussions of former councillor John Humphreys being exposed as a paedophile.

In June 2023 the council wrote to the government asking for help to mend fractious relationships following the council's troubled handling of the original allegations.

Helen Parr, councillor for Coly Valley, said she was shocked by the report

Helen Parr, Conservative councillor for Coly Valley, said: "The auditors say there is a culture of bullying which is very sad and I think it's quite shocking that this council has such a culture for people to work in.

"We've lost good people and councillors certainly want there to be a good working environment for employees and for officers to be happy working at the council."

Mrs Parr said she was aware of anti-bullying training being offered at the council.

She said: "We still want to be sure there is nothing wrong now and all of this is in the past.

"We have a no-bullying policy but we have to see whether it does take effect because it can't go on."