New council leader: “I want this sorted”

Feb 15 2012 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

IT was to become the most shameful episode in Wirral Council’s recent history.

Social services employee Martin Morton uncovered systematic financial abuse of vulnerable people in council care, but when he blew the whistle he was bullied and eventually forced out of his job.

With the help of Cllr Simon Mountney the council eventually launched an investigation into the bullying.

But more damaging for the council’s reputation was a further report by consultant Anna Klonowski, which uncovered still more serious allegations, ranging from an allegation of rape not properly dealt with, to men with baseball bats demanding money from a care home manager. Police are currently helping the council investigate these.

But as well as vindicating Mr Morton’s original concerns, Ms Klonowski also published an additional report criticising the “corporate governance” of Wirral Council – how it is run and managed.

Since then the council, while under Labour’s leadership, has set about making the changes to council procedures recommended in the Klonowski report.

On being elected leader of the council Jeff Green said: “I want this sorted and I want Martin Morton back working for Wirral.”