Allegations against monitoring officer at Bury over safeguarding case resolved

Allegations against the monitoring officer at Bury Council in relation to the handling of an historic individual child safeguarding case have been resolved by a disciplinary panel.

Jayne Hammond had been suspended along with chief executive Mike Owen and a third officer while an independent external investigation was undertaken by Charles Bourne QC of 11KBW.

Owen resigned with immediate effect shortly before the panel hearing this week.

The panel meanwhile concluded that the third officer had been guilty of serious misconduct and recommended that the individual be dismissed without notice.

The Manchester Evening News has reported that the historic safeguarding case related to a councillor who subsequently pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children.

In a statement Bury said: “Having carefully considered the Independent Report, the evidence and the representations of a third senior officer, Jayne Hammond, the allegations against that officer were resolved by the Panel.

“Whilst there were lessons to be learned, Mrs Hammond did not have direct responsibility for child safeguarding, the independent report did not find that Mrs Hammond’s legal advice had been wrong, and there was no evidence of ulterior motive at work.”

In relation to Owen’s departure, the local authority said: “The Panel noted that the council had no choice in whether to accept the resignation as it was a unilateral action on the part of Mr Owen.

“The Panel noted with concern the findings of the Independent Investigation reports regarding Mr Owen’s role in the historic child safeguarding issue under review, but noted that as Mr Owen was no longer an employee of the council it had no jurisdiction to reach any conclusions on the matter.”

In relation to the other suspended officer, the council said the panel had considered the independent report and heard representations from witnesses and the officer and his representative.

“The Panel considered the recommendations of the Report and concluded that the officer was guilty of serious misconduct, further, the officer had failed to maintain trust and confidence of the council and accordingly the Panel recommends to the full council that the officer is dismissed from the service without notice,” the statement said.

The full council will now be invited to consider this recommendation with the benefit of the opinion of the three independent persons appointed to the panel in accordance with the governing statutory provisions.

Pat Jones-Greenhalgh will continue as Interim Chief Executive at Bury until a new Chief Executive is appointed.