Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Whether it will be 'accepted' or not is another matter...

One of the useful functions of full WC council meetings is being able to get public answers from the Leader and her Cabinet.

My first question for the next meeting has now been lodged.

Question for Cllr. Jane Scott.

Private Eye magazine's 'Rotten Boroughs' column has revealed that the beneficiaries of the Kennet District Council 'non-pensionable honoraria' scheme were Chief Executive Mark Boden, HR director Anne Ewing and Chief Finance Officer Andrew Hart. The sums involved were reported as £10,360 for Boden, £5,733 for Ewing and £6,298 for Hart.

In reply to my question to her in February last year, Cllr. Scott replied ‘The Council is pursuing two claims amounting to a total sum of approximately £ 20,000. Both cases are being contested and one of the individuals has instructed a solicitor. The Council is considering its position in the light of the points raised in defence.’

Assuming that the council has now considered its position, could Cllr. Scott please advise what action is now being pursued and which of the three officers were, or are, being pursued to repay the monies? Why were only two being pursued and not all three? How did she come to the figure of ‘a total sum of approx. £20,000’?