SILENCE OVER QUESTIONS ON COUNCIL CHIEF'S NEW GARAGE
22 December 2005 - Evening Post
This is the home that has plunged Swansea Council's top boss into a planning row.
Chief executive Tim Thorogood refused to answer questions yesterday about the row which reportedly saw him leave County Hall on Tuesday morning and not return. It centred on a garage built at his Rhossili home that is the subject of formal complaints.
A panel of councillors will decide a week tomorrow whether to suspend Mr Thorogood, who is thought to be paid around £120,000 for being in charge of Swansea Council, while the accusations are investigated.
He was originally given permission for the garage development in January 2005, but was forced to put in a new, retrospective application after questions were raised about the finished project and the number of windows it included.
Mr Thorogood was granted permission, but it is understood claims have been made that the garage now includes sleeping and kitchen facilities and an en suite bathroom.
According to a number of reports, the claims led to Mr Thorogood leaving County Hall while a panel looked at the issues surrounding the application made by himself and his wife Alison.
Mrs Thorogood, who is a magistrate, works with Neath Port Talbot Council as a complaints officer, but that authority said it was not involved in the Swansea Council investigation.
Martin Jones, Neath Port Talbot Council head of revenues and customer services, said: "The question of alleged planning irregularities is purely a matter for the relevant planning authority, in this instance, Swansea Council."
Swansea Council has so far remained tight-lipped about the issue and refused to answer questions on details of the row.
It has also failed to comment on what impact this might have on the multi-million pound contract for Capgemini to deliver the council's eGovernment pro gramme and Service@ Swansea services project.
This scheme is aimed at modernising council systems and working practices, increasing efficiency and creating one-stop call centres for council queries.
The deal was expected to be signed this week. Mr Thorogood was given permission to sign the deal by cabinet earlier this month. It is understood another officer could take Mr Thorogood's place, but this has not been confirmed by Swansea Council.
All a council spokesman would say was that there was an issue regarding planning at Mr Thorogood's home and that the chief executive was being dealt with accordingly.
He said: "It is inappropriate to comment further at this time."
This is the home that has plunged Swansea Council's top boss into a planning row.
Chief executive Tim Thorogood refused to answer questions yesterday about the row which reportedly saw him leave County Hall on Tuesday morning and not return. It centred on a garage built at his Rhossili home that is the subject of formal complaints.
A panel of councillors will decide a week tomorrow whether to suspend Mr Thorogood, who is thought to be paid around £120,000 for being in charge of Swansea Council, while the accusations are investigated.
He was originally given permission for the garage development in January 2005, but was forced to put in a new, retrospective application after questions were raised about the finished project and the number of windows it included.
Mr Thorogood was granted permission, but it is understood claims have been made that the garage now includes sleeping and kitchen facilities and an en suite bathroom.
According to a number of reports, the claims led to Mr Thorogood leaving County Hall while a panel looked at the issues surrounding the application made by himself and his wife Alison.
Mrs Thorogood, who is a magistrate, works with Neath Port Talbot Council as a complaints officer, but that authority said it was not involved in the Swansea Council investigation.
Martin Jones, Neath Port Talbot Council head of revenues and customer services, said: "The question of alleged planning irregularities is purely a matter for the relevant planning authority, in this instance, Swansea Council."
Swansea Council has so far remained tight-lipped about the issue and refused to answer questions on details of the row.
It has also failed to comment on what impact this might have on the multi-million pound contract for Capgemini to deliver the council's eGovernment pro gramme and Service@ Swansea services project.
This scheme is aimed at modernising council systems and working practices, increasing efficiency and creating one-stop call centres for council queries.
The deal was expected to be signed this week. Mr Thorogood was given permission to sign the deal by cabinet earlier this month. It is understood another officer could take Mr Thorogood's place, but this has not been confirmed by Swansea Council.
All a council spokesman would say was that there was an issue regarding planning at Mr Thorogood's home and that the chief executive was being dealt with accordingly.
He said: "It is inappropriate to comment further at this time."
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