CALLS for an independent inquiry into a ‘bullying culture’ within a borough council unit have been refused.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Human Resources Committee discussed a review of its law and governance unit at a meeting on Friday behind closed doors, with the council chief saying it was not a ‘cover up’.

The meeting came about after a request in December by the Labour group within the authority for an independent inquiry into the unit.

The reasons for the call were not revealed, but are believed to refer to concerns raised about the department privately and reports in The Gazette in which a former member of staff alleged a ‘bullying culture’ within the unit. A Freedom of Information request showed the extent of staff absence through stress and anxiety, and staff turnover in the department.

A report prepared for the meeting by the trade union Unison, seen by The Gazette, read: “The factual evidence of sickness absence and high staff turnover, combined with the fact that some staff have left with no job to go to, means that a full independent investigation into the Law and Governance Business Unit is both necessary and overdue. The statistical evidence is consistent with the allegations of a bullying culture.

“The investigation needs to be conducted by an external individual in light of the seniority of some of the individuals implicated. The current situation is damaging the council, both financially and in reputation.”

Explaining why the request had been refused, chief executive Mel Barrett said: “We have a duty of care to all our staff and their wellbeing and physical and mental health is something that I take very seriously.

“The deputy chief executive undertook an independent review, looking carefully at all the evidence, including internal legal advice from the newly appointed legal services manager, who joined the council in December, together with specialist independent external legal advice around individual employee confidentiality.

As part of this investigation, the detailed policies to protect staff, including how they can raise grievances in the proper way, were reviewed by an external independent expert and found to be sound.

“The HR Committee agreed that there was no need for any further external investigation following this independent review.

An ongoing action plan to support the law and governance unit and its staff was noted by the committee and is being taken forward by the council’s officers.”

The Gazette also understands that at least one former member of staff was refused permission to speak at the meeting under rules which say that to address a committee a person must either live or work in the borough, own a business or a property in the borough or represent a local group or organisation.

One senior councillor said they had never seen the rule used before.

Councillors also debated whether the report, marked confidential, could be discussed in an open meeting.

Calling for the meeting to be held in public, Labour councillor David Potter, said: “There should be no reason that there is an exempt document before us.”

But council leader and executive member for human resources, Cllr Clive Sanders, said: “I care very passionately about looking after our staff.

However, if there is an issue we need to deal with, this is not the forum for it. I do not wish this to be a cover up, but I do not want this to become a witch hunt, which it is in danger of becoming.”