Allegation against Cllr Eudine Hanagan.

Labour again, eh? No surprise there then. What a bunch of ignorant specimens they seem to attract.

I'm hoping to go along on Thursday. I'll report back.

I've had a very late reply (below) to a FOI request on her son who was a LP candidate (and lost) some years ago in Llanharan I believe. He is now Head of Strategy and was appointed it seems without the post being advertised. His original job went out to advert and he was appointed in 2004 then later simply 'upgraded' to Head of Strategy. Seems he was in a group of one as far as his present post is concerned. Even if it was a legitimate appointment (and there are those who surprisingly doubt that! - how could they??) it sure does look awfully fishy. If you can read 'new-speak' then this is the response I had from RCT:

Further to my colleague's email below please find the Authority's response to your request for information below:-

1. The current annual salary of The Head of Strategy and Public Relations.

£56,692

2. The date of his appointment.

The Head of Strategy and Public Relations has been in continuous employment with the Authority since 6/9/04 and was appointed to the post of Head of Strategy and Public Relations on 1/5/06.

3. Salary on the date of appointment.

On the date of appointment to the post of Head of Strategy and Public Relations the annual salary was £49,485.

4. Where was the post advertised, ie Western Mail, Echo Rhondda Leader etc.

The employee's original post would have been advertised in accordance with the Authority's procedures and protocols. However, due to the lapse of time no information is held as regards where the post was specifically advertised.

5. The number of interviewees for the post.

Due to the length of time since the employee's appointment to the post this information is not held.

6. Was there any declaration of interest by Cllr Eudine Hanagan either in full council or in any other RCT Council fora regarding the application and/or appointment of her son Christian Hanagan.

We would refer you to the Officer Employment Procedure Rules contained in the Authority's Constitution.

The Authority requires any candidate for appointment as an employee to declare in writing whether they are the parent; brother; grandparent; sister; partner; uncle; child; aunt; stepchild; nephew; adopted child; niece or grandchild of an existing Councillor or employee of the Authority.

The requirement was met in this case.

7. The annual amount donated by the Authority to the pension fund of The Head of Strategy and Public Relations.

Due to data protection laws the Authority is not in a position to be able to comment on the individual status of an employee's pension arrangements who also may or may not not be a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme. Any such information would be exempt under section 40 (personal information) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 ( "the Act"), as the information constitutes third party data. Section 40(2) provides that personal data about third parties is exempt information if one of the conditions set out in section 40(3) is satisfied. Under the Act disclosure of this information would breach the fair processing principle contained in the Data Protection Act 1998, where it would be unfair to that person and/or is confidential.

Accordingly, in accordance with Section 17 of the Act as regards this part of your request this e-mail acts as a Refusal Notice. In refusing this request we have considered the Public Interest Test and have therefore balanced such issues as the Authority's desire to be open and transparent in all its dealings against the need to ensure that the personal data of individuals is not made public.

As you may be aware you have a right of appeal against this decision. If you wish to exercise this right please set out in writing your grounds and send your appeal to the Councils Corporate Feedback Co-ordinator. Her name is Mrs. Christine Macey and she may be reached at Chris.Macey@rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk or on 01443 444417. Additionally you may, if you wish, find out more about the Act from the Information Commissioner at http://www.ico.gov.uk/

General information regarding employer contributions in respect of the Authority's Local Government Pension Scheme can be found by accessing the following web-link:- http://www.rctpensions.org.uk/SBContributions.htm

8. Does RCT Council have a declared policy regarding Equal Opportunities? : If so could you forward that to me as an attachment please.

Yes. Please find this policy attached.

The Authority apologises for the delay in you receiving this response.

Kind regards

Andy Wilkins

Andy Wilkins
Solicitor
On behalf of the Director of Legal and Democratic Services
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council

Office (01443) 424189
Fax (01443) 424115

Graeme.

Thanks VB.

He was appointed in 2004 as a 'Personal Assistant' to the Leader - Russell Roberts.

This is an extract from a letter received by me.

"During 2005 Mr Hanagan was assigned additional responsibilities over and above his original post by the Chief Executive.

The post of Head of Strategy was not created as an additional post but was in fact an amalgamation of the previous role of Personal Assistant to the Leader of the Council and the increased duties and responsibilities that were assigned to the post by the Chief Executive during 2005. These were subsequently agreed and accepted by the holder of the position of Personal Assistant to the Leader of the Council who commenced working as Head of Strategy on 1st May 2006.

Such practice is not unusual in that, as with any business or public body, as the Council evolves over time, so inevitably will the duties attached to individual officers' posts.

Mr Hanagan is responsible directly to the Chief Executive of the Council and does not report to any elected members.

Mr Hanagan's role involves managing the Council's Strategy Department, which covers public relations and communications functions. He is also responsible for managing Civic relations and key events in addition to key projects or initiatives as directed by the Chief Executive.
Yours sincerely"

"Such practice is not unusual..???" Hmmmmmm!! If that's the case then there's definitely something severely wrong with any system that allows for a 'Personal Assistant' being elevated without interview or competition to a post of Head of any department. How can they expect people not to question this and put it down to nepotism? Which I'm sure of course it's not!

Graeme.

Anyone read the report Valley Boy posted?

If you ask me what do we pay councillors for nothing by reading the report about 70% maintain they didn’t hear what was going on when requested to give an account of what happened.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=s6EaoPMANQM

Given this argument what notice if any do councillors take at other meetings like the council tax hike to name but one? As I have said before a small number of people run this council and the rest are nodding dogs if the report is correct.

I have met this councillor’s son just after he was promoted to the hierarchy or inner circle less said the better.