The Appeals Committee of Blackpool Council met on Monday, 17 June 2024, to review an appeal against the dismissal of an employee. The committee upheld the Council's decision to dismiss the employee, concluding that the procedures had been followed correctly and the decision was fair and reasonable.

Appeal Against Dismissal

The committee considered a request to review the decision of the Council to dismiss an employee. Mrs Janet Roberts, Employee Relations Team Manager, and Ms Dawn Goodall, Head of Legal Services, were present to advise the committee on policy and procedure. Mrs Jenni Cook, Democratic Governance Senior Adviser, also attended as Clerk to the Committee.

The relevant Head of Service and the Employee Relations Adviser presented the case on behalf of the Authority, while the appellant, accompanied by a Union Representative, presented their case. The committee acknowledged the representations from both parties and noted the delay in the Authority’s investigation due to the outcome of a Police investigation.

The committee reviewed the Authority’s investigation, including the decision not to interview certain witnesses and the reliance on Police Statements. They also examined the case papers, which included interviews where the appellant admitted to certain activities. The Authority viewed the appellant as being in a senior role to the individual involved, effectively acting as the team manager.

The appellant accepted certain aspects of the allegations and provided mitigation, arguing that they were not the direct Line Manager of the individual involved. After careful consideration of all evidence and questioning the involved parties, the committee found the two allegations substantiated. They concluded that the Authority’s procedures were followed correctly and the decisions taken were fair and reasonable.

The committee also referred to the Code of Conduct for Workers in Children’s Services, determining that the appellant’s actions were in substantial breach of the code. They found the actions and conduct of the appellant unacceptable, fundamentally destroying trust and confidence in the contractual relationship between the appellant and the Council.

The committee agreed with the Authority’s decision to dismiss the employee but recommended that, where possible, any final meetings should take place in person.

Resolved: To dismiss the appeal and uphold the Council’s decision to dismiss the employee on the grounds that the Authority’s procedures had been followed and the decision taken was fair and reasonable.

For further details, you can refer to the Appeals Committee minutes 29.04.2024.