Probe into conduct of councillor (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Probe into conduct of councillor

12:42pm Monday 10th March 2008 in

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A HIGH-PROFILE borough councillor is facing a hearing into his conduct after he was accused of being abusive, threatening and aggressive to housing association staff.

Councillor Phil Heath, ward member for Hatch Warren and Beggarwood, is alleged to have behaved in an inappropriate manner towards staff at both Downland Housing Association and Sentinel Housing Association.

He has now been summoned to appear before Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's standards committee to answer allegations about four incidents in February last year, arising from his efforts to assist people with housing difficulties.

The first incident relates to a complaint by Jane Jones, from Downland Housing Association. She claimed that during a telephone conversation about the condition of a property that had been offered to a resident, Cllr Heath "failed to treat others with respect and conducted himself in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing his office or authority into disrepute" by shouting, criticising and behaving aggressively towards her. Ms Jones described his voice and attitude as "cocky" and "unprofessional".

In another housing matter involving Sentinel Housing Association staff, it is alleged that Cllr Heath was aggressive, abusive and threatening towards employees Jen Cripps, Nicola Fremond and Beau Rickerby.

Ms Fremond said she was embarrassed by Cllr Heath's behaviour when she was trying to show another woman he was assisting around a property as he was shouting, and is alleged to have told the Sentinel staff that "they should not be forcing people to take properties they did not want".

Cllr Heath is alleged to have said he was "sick" of people like the housing employees and then repeatedly said "you are not professionals, you are not professionals".

Ms Fremond has also alleged that Cllr Heath stood about an arm's length away from her and Ms Cripps and was waving his arms around and pointing at them. She said he told them he would be going to their superiors and the press.

It is also alleged that Cllr Heath interrupted a meeting between the borough Cabinet member for housing and regeneration, Cllr Cecilia Morrison, and Dorcas Bunton, corporate director at the council, and "conducted himself in an inappropriate manner".

Cllr Heath allegedly told Cllr Morrison and Mrs Bunton he would "retaliate against complainants about him by going to the press".

Finally, Cllr Heath is alleged to have spoken to Michael Shepherd, interim head of housing services at the borough council, in "an inappropriate manner".

While Cllr Heath disputes most of the allegations against him, he accepts he did interrupt the meeting between Cllr Morrison and Mrs Bunton.

He claims his comments were never directed at the borough director and that the situation was just a disagreement between councillors. He has, however, apologised to Mrs Bunton.

The complaints were initially forwarded to the Standards Board for England in April last year by then borough council chief executive Gordon Holdcroft.

However, the board has referred them back to the borough authority for local determination by the council's own standards committee.

If he is found to have breached the councillor's code of conduct, Cllr Heath, a borough councillor since 1992, could face a suspension of up to three months from the council. Other potential penalties include restricting his access to the council's premises or resources, a combination of those penalties or, if he was no longer a council member, censure.

Cllr Heath, who also sits on Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Police Authority and Hampshire Fire Authority, told The Gazette he is pleased the hearing will take place in public. He will be representing himself and the two unnamed women he was seeking to assist will be asked to give evidence as his witnesses.

"I welcome the chance for the public to judge," he said. "I have told the truth and I shall stay with the truth all the way through."

The four-strong standards committee will hear representations from all parties at its next meeting on March 26, at the Civic Offices.