Pat Doyle, who led the council for 22 years, has sent a 20-page dossier to prime minister Tony Blair and the commission – which was made the single inspector for all social housing last week – alleging poor methods and unsubstantiated claims in July's corporate governance report. More than 20 current and former Labour councillors signed the dossier, rejecting a commission claim that the political culture "had not rid itself of a legacy of bullying by some members".
The inspectors recommended a hit squad be sent in to tackle the housing problems.
And action against the whole council was threatened if it failed to improve.
Though not personally accused of bullying, Doyle is disputing the claim. He says the inspectorate should produce evidence or withdraw the claim and he wants witnesses to the inspection to be named.
Doyle, who retired from the council in May, said: "Some of the recommendations are anti-democratic. I want to see two or three councillors on inspection teams in future. I hope I speak on behalf of every councillor in the land."
The commission said it would defend any legal action. It says it has five sources for every claim in the report and regards it as one of its most secure inspections.
Jane Wreford, who led the Hull inspection, said: "We do acknowledge Pat Doyle's contribution and vision. Councils around the country are having a tough time with changing housing markets but Hull had not dealt with it.
"We are satisfied with the evidence on bullying, but naturally we do not want to expose witnesses to retribution."
n Hull council could close all 19 of its estate offices as the first move in a re-engineering of the landlord service. The council needs to save up to £3.6m on management and maintenance over five years to balance the books.
Source
Housing Today
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