Sent: Tuesday, 31 January 2012, 19:27
Subject: How much does Stockport Council cost the tax payers
“The Town Hall’s plumbing is now 104 years old and the Council’s office toilets are bound to have a few leaks, the stink that was flushed out of the drip in the system that puddled around our feet could only flood the waste(ful) treatment of complaints by just flushing them down the pan, when the council sits on its throne constipated with the strain of its wrongdoing it will take more than wipe of a tissue to clear up its mess, dont forget to wash your hands when you use the council you dont catch undisinfected discriminatory cleansic flushing, i dont know if there is any known cure if caught on attack from this diseased council.
Mike”
“Council pays out in race claim
December 12, 2007
A NORTH west council is believed to have paid out around £250,000 after settling two race discrimination claims by a former employee.
The cases involved Justin Idehen, who earlier this year took Stockport Council to an industrial tribunal for a second time. Mr Idehen, former head of engineering services, won damages of £160,000 after alleging racial harassment back in 2001.
In the latest claim, he alleged to an industrial tribunal in Manchester that in May 2006, he had applied for a new position with a council contractor only to be told: ‘You can’t work for Stockport Council in any capacity at all.’
It is understood that the second case has now been settled out of court for a figure believed to be above £80,000. The latest settlement suggests Mr Idehen’s cases have cost Stockport council tax payers around £240,000 in compensation, before legal fees.
An internal council source who asked not to be named, said: “The latest amount, which was offered was £80,000, but it is my understanding that this was rejected by him.
“However, by April all parties agreed on the final figure, which suggests it was much higher than that original offer.
“However, that settlement would take no account of paying barrister’s fees for the preparation work, the three-day hearing involving Mr Idehen’s London barrister and/or the local authority’s own legal bills. The cost to the authority must have been astronomical.”
The settlement came ahead of a three-day hearing in the spring at which the authority was warned a decision due in July could award “exemplary damages” against Stockport council.
Labour councillor Sheila Bailey claimed the case could have been avoided second time around if the people allegedly committing racist acts had been dealt with swiftly.
She said: “If the local authority settles out of court, it is accepting it has a problem, but apart from paying out a huge amount, it a duty to deal with the people at fault. At the very least there should have been an internal inquiry not only to look at this, but at its general policy to make sure it is being adhered to.”
The council has repeatedly refused to comment, claiming to do so would be an infringement of the Data Protection Act.”
