Public life demands scruples that should not be compromised but in reality it goes one step further. Even the perception of compromising ones independence in public office is brutally damaging. Revelations in the Guardian that Andrea Hill took paid for trips to the USA from BT, whose contract costs to Suffolk council rose by over a £100m, which appeared not to be challenged by Hill, signals it is time for her to step aside.
Hill has been at the fore of proposals to outsource the bulk of Suffolk’s local government services. This latest debacle should mean the council holds an Inquiry , open to local council tax-payers, about the deal with BT. The public in Suffolk have a right to know why the council paid an extra £100m to BT and why their Chief Executive felt it appropriate to go on paid for jaunts to the USA with the same company that has clearly made a fast buck from Suffolk residents. If wrong doing is found it should become a matter for the police.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/dec/16/suffolk-council-bt-overspend?INTCMP=SRCH
Perhaps her saving grace is that she had to slum it at one of San Francisco’s finest Nob Hill hotels. Bless.
http://www.nobhillspa.com/
Anna Rose
See also http://unisonactive.blogspot.com/2010/09/tory-county-council-set-to-suffolk-ate.html
