Conduct of Cllr Whitbread (Bracknell Liberal Democrats)

Bracknell Liberal Democrats <info@bracknelllibdems.org.uk>

Conduct of Cllr Whitbread

February 26, 2010 4:51 PM

Press reports have confirmed that Cllr Whitbread has been found guilty by the General Teaching Council for England (GTC) of unacceptable professional misconduct following her dismissal from Holyport Cof E Primary School in June 2008.

The GTC decided that Cllr Whitbread's conduct 'fell short of the standard expected of a registered teacher and was a breach of the standards of propriety expected of the profession'.

Receiving benefit payments against entitlement is a particularly serious matter for persons holding public office and I, and my Party, are at a loss to understand why the Borough Solicitor, Alex Jack, should feel this is no more than a private matter between Cllr Whitbread and her former employer.

Clause 4 of the Members' Code of Conduct clearly states that 'a Member must not in his or her official capacity, or any other circumstance, conduct him or her self in a manner which could be reasonably regarded as bringing his or her Office or Authority into disrepute.

Other Council guidance states that Members should not place themselves in situations where their honesty and integrity may be called into question and these revelations will clearly serve to undermine the confidence and trust that was placed in Cllr Whitbread when she was elected to serve the residents of the Wildridings and Central ward.

We believe it is unacceptable for the Council to simply disregard the actions of Cllr Whitbread's former employer and the findings of the GTC in this matter and urgently request that Cllr Whitbread's conduct, as a serving Member of the Council, be investigated by the Standards Committee as soon as possible.