Report claims Cllr Jenkins "abusive" (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)
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A Standards for England report into Cotswold District Councilor Esmond Jenkins has been published
4:16pm Thursday 12th January 2012 in News By Ian Craig
COUNCILLOR Esmond Jenkins was abusive and aggressive towards Cotswold District Council staff and an employee of property developer Watermark, was disrespectful and threatening to council officers, and brought his office into disrepute through unsubstantiated allegations of corruption.
These are just some of the claims made by the Standards for England report.
The 91-page report, complied by ethical standards officer Jennifer Rogers from Standards for England, outlines two complaints against Cllr Jenkins made by CDC’s head of planning Philippa Lowe and Max Thomas, chief executive of property developer Watermark, comprising ten separate allegations.
In a lengthy section, it is alleged that Cllr Jenkins was threatening and verbally abusive towards an employee of Watermark who refused to allow him access to Keynes Country Park while he was investigating the planning breach at Lake 31.
It is also claimed that he was abusive towards CDC’s head of democratic services Nigel Adams, swearing at him in front of members of the public, at the same time.
The report also outlines allegations by council officers that Cllr Jenkins was disrespectful and bullying towards them, frequently referring to them only by their surnames and being aggressive in email communication.
It is also alleged that Cllr Jenkins tried to use his position to influence planning officers with regards to a decision regarding quarry works near his home in Shorncote.
However, claims that he abused his position to advise a business which was in direct competition with Watermark, and also that he was involved in an enforcement case while also representing the people concerned in a professional capacity, are dismissed by the report.
The full report can be viewed at the link below.
Comments(8)
Esmond Jenkins
says...
10:20am Fri 13 Jan 12
But do pop along , and look in to see the circus.
Our bureaucracy will be on show, make your own appraisal. Listen to their explanations and draw your conclusions.
From a professional standpoint the 92 page summary report is the work of one Ms Rogers the Ethical Standards Officer, she based this dubious piece of prose on the 1490 pages of statements her team of highly trained and shrewd "investigators". The 1490 pages is compiled from a host of enthusiastic EJ detractors employed in local public service.
This might be vaguely credible if Ms Rogers or her highly trained investigators had attempted to make sense of numerous discrepancies and then explained how they reached some of their bizarre findings .
I am looking forward to meeting her.
Esmond
dopey1
says...
1:49pm Fri 13 Jan 12
When I was in the military we had some people that swore quite a lot and then we had a few very genteel people who only let out a slight curse when really badly provoked, like Esmond.
Which category I fall into can be judged by officers if they put on a muppet show in front of me.
walterparkgate
says...
12:18am Wed 18 Jan 12
I heard the Lib Dems had "Esmond Jenkins is Innocent" Tee shirts on and the Conservatives had "Jenkins is Guilty" ones!
David Broad
says...
1:25pm Thu 19 Jan 12
I have been there throughout the meeting from Tuesdsay onwards and No Conservative members have worn tee shirts with slogans or otherwise.
Liberal Democrats did appear with Esmond is Innocent and similar Tee shirts but there was only two tee shirts this morning as the number of observers dwindled
Esmond Jenkins
says...
8:22pm Sun 22 Jan 12
You still have not paid for your T shirt.
Esmond
Cirenres
says...
12:03pm Mon 23 Jan 12
Think that's the least we should expect of Councillors!
ciren59
says...
7:18pm Sat 28 Jan 12
The members I have observed at CDC not only lack competence, passion and drive they are mostly too old to be relevent to anyone or too young to be competent at anything useful at all.
But hey, that's democracy for you - the electorate get the politicians they deserve and boy have we got some fools.
joe.harris says...
10:17pm Thu 12 Jan 12
If not making eye contact while speaking to people and folding your arms during a meeting (which are allegations!) are punishable offences then I should be locked up and never let out!
It's like these people have never seen or experienced the real world!