Friday
19
April
More needs to be known about council gagging orders
05/03/2020 @ 07:21
More oversight and scrutiny of gagging orders signed by staff as the leave Powys County Council’s service is being pushed for.
At today's full council meeting a motion will be put forward to be decided by councillors asking for Audit Committee to oversee any future arrangements.
While a question asking for the financial cost of non-disclosure agreements will be answered.
The motion will be put forward by Chairman of the Democratic Services committee, Cllr Elwyn Vaughan.
Cllr Vaugan asks: “In view of the fact that Powys County Council paid nearly £4m in the use of gagging orders from2005 to 2019; with 105 non-disclosure agreements; Council calls for all such agreements and payments over £5,000 to be approved by a Cabinet member with a quarterly update report presented to the Audit Committee, therefore ensuring openness and transparency.”
This will be the subject to a vote.
The question about the cost of gagging orders comes from Cllr Gwilym Williams chairman of the Health and Care Scrutiny Committee.
Cllr Williams asks: “Giving total numbers, how many non-disclosure agreements have Powys Council done in the last two years, including financial cost.
“Could each year be listed separately?”
He is answered by portfolio holder for Corporate Governance and Engagement, Cllr Graham Breeze, who said: “These agreements, called settlement agreements are standard and the employee must obtain legal advice before concluding the agreement.
“They are also approved by the Head of Service, Head of Workforce and Legal Services before entered into.
“They are not called non-disclosure settlements but they do include a confidentiality clause which places a mutual obligation on employer and employee about the agreement and its terms remaining confidential to the parties involved.
“ACAS and Unions approve the use of these agreements, which are standard in England and Wales, both in public and private practice.”
At the meeting, Cllr Williams will have the opportunity of asking an extra question in response to the answer.
Between February 2018 to February 2019 – seven agreements were made, totalling £336, 037.
Between February 2019 to February 2020 – three agreements were made, totalling £71,170.98.
At today's full council meeting a motion will be put forward to be decided by councillors asking for Audit Committee to oversee any future arrangements.
While a question asking for the financial cost of non-disclosure agreements will be answered.The motion will be put forward by Chairman of the Democratic Services committee, Cllr Elwyn Vaughan.
Cllr Vaugan asks: “In view of the fact that Powys County Council paid nearly £4m in the use of gagging orders from2005 to 2019; with 105 non-disclosure agreements; Council calls for all such agreements and payments over £5,000 to be approved by a Cabinet member with a quarterly update report presented to the Audit Committee, therefore ensuring openness and transparency.”
This will be the subject to a vote.
The question about the cost of gagging orders comes from Cllr Gwilym Williams chairman of the Health and Care Scrutiny Committee.
Cllr Williams asks: “Giving total numbers, how many non-disclosure agreements have Powys Council done in the last two years, including financial cost.
“Could each year be listed separately?”
He is answered by portfolio holder for Corporate Governance and Engagement, Cllr Graham Breeze, who said: “These agreements, called settlement agreements are standard and the employee must obtain legal advice before concluding the agreement.
“They are also approved by the Head of Service, Head of Workforce and Legal Services before entered into.
“They are not called non-disclosure settlements but they do include a confidentiality clause which places a mutual obligation on employer and employee about the agreement and its terms remaining confidential to the parties involved.
“ACAS and Unions approve the use of these agreements, which are standard in England and Wales, both in public and private practice.”
At the meeting, Cllr Williams will have the opportunity of asking an extra question in response to the answer.
Between February 2018 to February 2019 – seven agreements were made, totalling £336, 037.
Between February 2019 to February 2020 – three agreements were made, totalling £71,170.98.
Photo: Powys County Council offices in Newtown
By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporting Service
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