Council legal chief suspended

CHESHIRE East has suspended its head of legal services Bill Norman while an investigation into allegations relating to the conduct of senior officers is under way.

Mr Norman was suspended by the council’s investigation and disciplinary committee following a meeting on Friday (July 14).

An email sent to all councillors by acting chief executive Kath O’Dwyer – which was seen by our sister paper the Crewe Chronicle – confirmed the suspension.

In the email Coun Howard Murray, chairman of the investigation and disciplinary Committee (IDC) said: “We would stress that this suspension is a neutral act taken in the interests of both the council and the director of legal services/ monitoring officer. It is important that this investigation is undertaken objectively and therefore it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this stage.”

Mr Norman has been absent from work at the council for several weeks.

The email from Ms O’Dwyer added: “As notified at the meeting of the staffing committee on April 27, 2017, interim arrangements to cover the responsibilities of this role have been in place for a number of weeks to cover the post-holder’s sickness absence.

“We envisage these interim arrangements will continue during the period of the post-holder’s suspension from duty.”

Mr Norman is the second of Cheshire East’s top bosses to be suspended by the IDC.

Chief executive Mike Suarez was suspended in April.