Sacked Bridlington spa boss settles dispute with council
HE HAD REFUSED TO TAKE PAY CUT AFTER REGRADING
A SETTLEMENT has been reached in a dispute over the sacking of Bridlington Spa’s general manager.
Andrew Aldis had been in charge of the council-owned venue since 2009 after previously working at a number of theatres in London’s West End.
He took over the seafront complex just over a year after it reopened following a £20.5m refurbishment, which cemented its status as the East Riding’s premier entertainment venue.
But his employment with East Riding Council was terminated in October last year after he rejected a regrading of his post as part of a restructure within the authority’s leisure division.
Under the move, his salary would have been cut by £3,870 a year.
After an unsuccessful internal appeal, he lodged a claim for unfair dismissal to an employment tribunal.
However, the two sides have now reached an agreement to settle the case ahead of a scheduled tribunal hearing later this month.
Details of the settlement have not been released. Instead, both the council and Mr Aldis have issued agreed statements.
In a statement, the council said: “East Riding Council implemented a process of restructure within its culture and customer services division, which led to changes and regrading of posts including Mr Aldis’, which he found unacceptable.
“Mr Aldis’s employment was terminated by the council in October 2019 and of course we regret any distress caused to Mr Aldis as a consequence.
“We recognise and pay tribute to his ten years’ commitment and dedicated service which has not only seen Bridlington Spa raised to national significance but has also provided a springboard for young people wanting to work in the arts.
“We wish him the very best for the future.”
Mr Aldis said: “I would like to thank East Riding Council for recognising nisingmy my contribution and achieveachieve ments at Bridlington Spa. I always believed that the re-evaluation of my post was not right
“While I will always consider the council’s decision to be wrong, I simply cannot continue being angry. This last year has taken its toll and it is time to put the story to bed.
“Representing Bridlington Spa and the town of Bridlington for ten years has been an honour and a privilege.
“I have many great memories and very few regrets.
“There are hundreds of people who have made my time here special, which has led me to call this part of Yorkshire my home.
“I will continue in my endeavours to find future employment here.
“I hope I will be remembered as a person who showed commitment, who was always open and honest, who fought for the town while driving change and innovation and as someone who had the courage to speak out in order to make things better.
Above all, I would hope remembered with fondness.” to be