DEAD MAN WALKING - THE END OF THE REIGN OF KING CRAIG!

"The council leader can no more be a chief executive than a chief executive can be leader". It added that the relationship between officers and elected members was the 'modus operandi of a local authority' and the 'cornerstone or the British system of democracy'."

The coronation of Tory leader Craig Humphrey Chief Executive of Rugby Borough Council has hit the buffers this week as an independent organisation made up of senior Government civil servants responsible for over seeing local government have poured scorn on this undemocratic move.

Rugby Green Party along with other, wrote expressing our concerns - only for this to fall on deaf ears within the Rugby Council but as forecast by us the move proved unpalatable for organisations responsible for local government proper practice.

We believe Councillor Craig Humphey should immediately stand down not just as Chief Executive but should also resign as a Councillor for his clear breach of local government rules.

Panel blasts leadership role

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CONTROVERSIAL management arrangements at Rugby Borough Council (RBC) have been blasted by an independent report.

RBC is the first authority in the UK to combine the elected role of council leader with the sixfigure-salary role of chief executive – the post currently filled by council leader Craig Humphrey.

However, an Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) has refused to recommend a 'premium rate' Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA) for Cllr Humphrey on the grounds it rejected the combined leader/chief executive model. The IRP, which is made up of senior public servants, was asked to consider RBC's new management arrangements, as well as reviewing councillors' allowances.

The panel said there had been 'little thought or reflection' on 'accountability, transparency and openness' in changes at the council. However, in recognition of the extra work undertaken by Cllr

Humphrey the panel did recommend an increase in the council leader's SRA from £10,378 to £16,983.

Their report said it was concerned by the widespread representation, throughout the authority and in the media, of the combined leader/chief executive role, and the linked expectation that Cllr Humphrey should receive a significantly higher allowance.

It added: "The council leader can no more be a chief executive than a chief executive can be leader". It added that the relationship between officers and elected members was the 'modus operandi of a local authority' and the 'cornerstone or the British system of democracy'.

It continued: "Whilst a case can be made for a new style of political leadership, such a case has not been constructed and presented.

"It is also unfortunate that the proposal was submitted and recommended only by the individuals most affected. They place themselves at risk of criticism of self interest, whether warranted or not."

The proposal document was submitted by Cllr Humphrey and the council's two executive officers Ian Davis and Andrew Gabbitas in July which was also made public this week. At the time, the report was taken out of the public domain in a move fiercely criticised by opposition political groups.

The document reveals that by not replacing the former chief executive Simon Warren, the authority is in line to save £104,000 a year due to the new leader set up.

Cllr Humphrey, said: "The panel has put together a lengthy and comprehensive report that will take some time to analyse and digest. It will be discussed at a meeting of the full council on October 19, when we will have an opportunity to clarify its contents and ask questions of the panel."