TWO LEAVE IW COUNCIL AS UNDERCLIFF INQUIRY CONTINUES

The Undercliff Drive inquiry has claimed two heads, with the early retirement of the IW Council’s Director of Finance Paul Wilkinson and the resignation of Strategic Director for Economic Development and Regeneration Derek Rowell. They were suspended earlier this year by Chief Executive Joe Duckworth, at the start of an inquiry into alleged serious failures over the IW Council's scheme to shore up Undercliff Drive in Ventnor.

This week, the local authority confirmed that an independent disciplinary inquiry into Paul Wilkinson’s actions had found that his “conduct fell below the standard the Council might reasonably expect” and that he was “guilty of 'a serious error of judgement' in failing to take any action to rectify the procurement issue, ensure there was a written contract in place or to notify elected members of the problems as soon as he became aware of them”.

A written warning was issued to Mr Wilkinson in line with recommendations, but in a statement the IW Council said it felt the punishment was inadequate. Mr Wilkinson, admits County Hall, had been prepared to return to work. So, in lieu of his resignation, the committee “reluctantly agreed to accept…early retirement.” It says the cost of challenging the ruling outweighed the cost of Mr Wilkinson’s early retirement (£21,955 in lieu of notice; £4715.92 for statutory entitlements incl. accrued holiday and £59,146.31 allowing him to access his pension early). The local authority says it is the minimum payment allowed by law.

Meanwhile, Derek Rowell has been signed off sick and is considered too ill to participate in a disciplinary hearing. The IW Council has accepted his resignation and he has been paid £21,834.24 in lieu of notice.

A case against Head of Engineering Services Steve Matthews is currently being considered and Deputy Chief Executive John Lawson’s case will be heard later this month.