Wirral Tory’s blog sparks row over council problems

Nov 9 2011 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

A SENIOR Conservative councillor has come under fire for comments made on his blog about the woman brought in to help the authority deal with its problems.

Council expert Anna Klonowski was asked to investigate concerns about how the council dealt with a former social services whistleblower but uncovered evidence of serious failings in how the authority has been run.

But following a confidential briefing to councillors, Tory chief whip Cllr Chris Blakeley was scathing in his assessment of her.

Ms Klonowski had asked councillors to look at a Audit Commission report into Doncaster Council from April 2010, which it described as failing, and which also said “the desire to pursue longstanding political antagonisms is being given priority over much-needed improvements to services for the public”.

Describing the consultant on his blog Cllr Blakeley said: “patronising and smug does not begin to express her demeanour”.

He added: “Talk to [council leader Steve] Foulkes Mrs K, cos I am not listening to your rubbish!”

His comments have been condemned by Cllr Phil Davies, deputy leader of the council and the Labour group, who said concerns raised by Ms Klonowski are “key priorities” for the authority.

Cllr Davies said: “I am very disappointed that he used terms like ‘patronising’ and ‘smug’, particularly given it was Cllr Blakeley’s party leader who hired Anna Klonowski in the first place, and Cllr Blakeley is a senior Tory and chief whip of their party.

“One of the key messages is that we have to put political differences aside. Ithe comments do not augur well for all parties in dealing with these issues.”