Published Date: 29 April 2008
By ROBERT BROOKS
MARK Henderson, who has just stepped down as chief executive of Northumberland County Council, will remain with the authority until the end of May, it has been announced.
Related story: County council chief quits postIn a statement released at 4.35pm, it was confirmed that the County Hall boss will leave prior to the appointment of a new chief executive in June.Mr Henderson has been with the county council for nearly five years.His decision to leave was agreed by the Staff Committee which met in private on Monday.But there will be no public disclosure of Mr Henderson's final settlement because the terms of the severance were confidential.The authority confirmed, however, that Mr Henderson had voluntarily waived his right to a significant sum he could have received had he stayed on and been made redundant.They said he had also fulfilled the requirement of the controversial £30,000-a-year retention bonus granted in private by council leader Peter Hillman last October, but had asked that the payments cease.Mr Henderson said: "I am proud of my contribution to Northumberland but feel it is time to move on and for a new chief executive to come in right at the start of the creation of a new council".Coun Hillman said of Mr Henderson's departure: "I am sad to see Mark leaving but I also feel that this is a good time for a new person to come into one of the top jobs in local government."I would thank Mark for his time at the county, and wish him well for the future."The authority also confirmed that Mr Henderson has received a severance package from the council.This is consistent with his normal entitlements.A council spokesman said "It was sensible to come to this arrangement now, not least as we can now be very clear to potential candidates for the post that there is no competition from the current chief executive."Mr Henderson intends to start up his own consultancy company in the near future.
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Mark left isolated by the loss of his friends, Jill Dixon could be next to leave?
Council chief quits ahead of shake-up
Apr 30 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal
NORTHUMBERLAND’S top council official has revealed he is leaving his post in the middle of a massive shake-up of local government in the county.
County council chief executive Mark Henderson, 44, will quit his £150,000-a-year job next month – leaving the way clear for the appointment of a new senior officer to oversee the radical switch to unitary local government next year.
Mr Henderson – who has been with the county council for almost five years – was one of the main driving forces behind the successful bid to the Government to create a single, all-purpose council for Northumberland.
Along with the council’s Labour leadership, he alienated the majority of local residents who took part in opinion polls, many district councillors and the county’s four MPs, all of whom favoured two separate unitary authorities along urban and rural lines.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Mr Henderson and two of his senior colleagues had been awarded controversial 20% salary hikes in order to retain their services during the complex process of implementing the new authority.
Now, on the eve of elections for the unitary council, Mr Henderson has announced he will be leaving towards the end of May, and plans to set up his own consultancy business in the North East.
His departure, and the terms of a confidential severance package, were agreed by the council’s staff committee which met on Monday.
It is understood Mr Henderson feels that by announcing his departure now – and not applying for the £180,000-a-year post of chief executive with the new council – it will encourage high quality candidates to apply in the knowledge that he is not in the running for the job.
Last night, the county council said the size of his severance payment would not be disclosed, but added that Mr Henderson has voluntarily waived his right to a significant sum he could have received had he stayed on and been made redundant.
The authority also pointed out that the 20% retention payment was to secure his services until the appointment of a new chief executive, which will happen in June.
A spokeswoman added: “Mr Henderson has fulfilled the requirement of that retention scheme, but has asked that the retention payments cease.”
Last night, Mr Henderson faced criticism over his decision to go now. The Conservative Party’s Parliamentary spokesman for the Berwick constituency, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, said: “Some of us will feel incredibly let down by the fact that Mark Henderson has driven through, with the Secretary of State, this unitary council, accepted a 20% salary rise and given the impression to all that he would be seeing through these changes.
“Now it turns out he is up and leaving, with a confidential payout, and not seeing the project through.”
Blyth Valley Labour MP Ronnie Campbell said: “Mark Henderson is leaving Northumberland with a new system of local government which most people didn’t want and which he personally pushed very hard for.”
Mr Henderson said: “I am proud of my contribution to Northumberland but feel it is time to move on and for a new chief executive to come in right at the start of the creation of a new council.”
Council leader Peter Hillman, who will not be part of the unitary council after being de-selected by Labour, said: “I am sad to see Mark leaving but I also feel that this is a good time for a new person to come into one of the top jobs in local government.”
Cull of supporters left chief isolated
DUNDEE-BORN Mark Henderson took over as Northumberland County Council chief executive in the summer of 2003, moving from his previous job as director of operations with regional development agency One NorthEast.
Since then he has helped spearhead the successful campaign to win Government backing for the creation of one unitary council to run the county, rather than the rival bid for two unitaries along urban and rural lines. However, the recent internal party cull of senior Labour county councillors who supported the single unitary bid has left him in an increasingly isolated position.
Mr Henderson was an elected councillor on Dundee District Council in the early 1990s and worked at several Scottish councils.
Before moving to One NorthEast in 2000, he was assistant director of environment and public protection at North Lincolnshire Council.
Apr 30 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal
NORTHUMBERLAND’S top council official has revealed he is leaving his post in the middle of a massive shake-up of local government in the county.
County council chief executive Mark Henderson, 44, will quit his £150,000-a-year job next month – leaving the way clear for the appointment of a new senior officer to oversee the radical switch to unitary local government next year.
Mr Henderson – who has been with the county council for almost five years – was one of the main driving forces behind the successful bid to the Government to create a single, all-purpose council for Northumberland.
Along with the council’s Labour leadership, he alienated the majority of local residents who took part in opinion polls, many district councillors and the county’s four MPs, all of whom favoured two separate unitary authorities along urban and rural lines.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Mr Henderson and two of his senior colleagues had been awarded controversial 20% salary hikes in order to retain their services during the complex process of implementing the new authority.
Now, on the eve of elections for the unitary council, Mr Henderson has announced he will be leaving towards the end of May, and plans to set up his own consultancy business in the North East.
His departure, and the terms of a confidential severance package, were agreed by the council’s staff committee which met on Monday.
It is understood Mr Henderson feels that by announcing his departure now – and not applying for the £180,000-a-year post of chief executive with the new council – it will encourage high quality candidates to apply in the knowledge that he is not in the running for the job.
Last night, the county council said the size of his severance payment would not be disclosed, but added that Mr Henderson has voluntarily waived his right to a significant sum he could have received had he stayed on and been made redundant.
The authority also pointed out that the 20% retention payment was to secure his services until the appointment of a new chief executive, which will happen in June.
A spokeswoman added: “Mr Henderson has fulfilled the requirement of that retention scheme, but has asked that the retention payments cease.”
Last night, Mr Henderson faced criticism over his decision to go now. The Conservative Party’s Parliamentary spokesman for the Berwick constituency, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, said: “Some of us will feel incredibly let down by the fact that Mark Henderson has driven through, with the Secretary of State, this unitary council, accepted a 20% salary rise and given the impression to all that he would be seeing through these changes.
“Now it turns out he is up and leaving, with a confidential payout, and not seeing the project through.”
Blyth Valley Labour MP Ronnie Campbell said: “Mark Henderson is leaving Northumberland with a new system of local government which most people didn’t want and which he personally pushed very hard for.”
Mr Henderson said: “I am proud of my contribution to Northumberland but feel it is time to move on and for a new chief executive to come in right at the start of the creation of a new council.”
Council leader Peter Hillman, who will not be part of the unitary council after being de-selected by Labour, said: “I am sad to see Mark leaving but I also feel that this is a good time for a new person to come into one of the top jobs in local government.”
Cull of supporters left chief isolated
DUNDEE-BORN Mark Henderson took over as Northumberland County Council chief executive in the summer of 2003, moving from his previous job as director of operations with regional development agency One NorthEast.
Since then he has helped spearhead the successful campaign to win Government backing for the creation of one unitary council to run the county, rather than the rival bid for two unitaries along urban and rural lines. However, the recent internal party cull of senior Labour county councillors who supported the single unitary bid has left him in an increasingly isolated position.
Mr Henderson was an elected councillor on Dundee District Council in the early 1990s and worked at several Scottish councils.
Before moving to One NorthEast in 2000, he was assistant director of environment and public protection at North Lincolnshire Council.
Saturday, 12 April 2008
FBU ENDORSE LABOURS CANDIDATES FOR THE NEW COUNCIL
Brigade union backs Labour
Candidates for super-council win support
Dave Black
FIREFIGHTERS’ leaders in Northumberland have given their support to the Labour Party in next month’s elections for the new super-council which will run the county from 2009.
The Northumberland Branch of the Fire Brigades’ Union has endorsed Labour’s candidates for the May 1 poll – despite the FBU nationally having disaffiliated from Labour in 2004.
The move also comes in the wake of FBU anger over the Labour-controlled county council’s decision in 2006 to support a controversial shake-up involving the closure of fire stations in Blyth, Ashington, Cramlington and Morpeth and their replacement with two new stations.
The local FBU has agreed to back Labour in the elections for the 67 seats on the county’s new single unitary council following discussions between the two organisations in recent weeks.
The FBU ended its official 86-year link with Labour amid anger over how the Government treated firefighters during the 2002/3 national pay strike, and because of growing disaffection with the direction of the party. Last year’s annual union conference in Southport voted decisively against re-affiliation with Labour.
Against this background, Labour leaders in Northumberland regard persuading the county branch of the FBU to officially support their election campaign as a significant coup.
Labour says the FBU has given its backing following discussions between the union and the party about the future direction of the new council, including manifesto commitments to improve services, keep council tax low and protect staff jobs across the council.
Yesterday Colin James, Northumberland FBU secretary, said: “We have observed with interest the internal changes in the local Labour movement and have viewed Labour’s proposals should it be in control of the new unitary authority.
“The protection of services and jobs are paramount issues which we are pleased to hear will be a key part of the new council, if they are in control.
“We are happy to endorse the Labour candidates.”
Labour’s election campaign agent, Susan Dungworth, said: “This support of a key union in Northumberland is great news for us. All candidates have signed up to a new council delivering services in a radically different way.”
FBU national spokesman Duncan Milligan said: “Although we remain disaffiliated from Labour, individual regions and branches of the FBU make their own decisions about which candidates they are happy to support.””
Candidates for super-council win support
Dave Black
FIREFIGHTERS’ leaders in Northumberland have given their support to the Labour Party in next month’s elections for the new super-council which will run the county from 2009.
The Northumberland Branch of the Fire Brigades’ Union has endorsed Labour’s candidates for the May 1 poll – despite the FBU nationally having disaffiliated from Labour in 2004.
The move also comes in the wake of FBU anger over the Labour-controlled county council’s decision in 2006 to support a controversial shake-up involving the closure of fire stations in Blyth, Ashington, Cramlington and Morpeth and their replacement with two new stations.
The local FBU has agreed to back Labour in the elections for the 67 seats on the county’s new single unitary council following discussions between the two organisations in recent weeks.
The FBU ended its official 86-year link with Labour amid anger over how the Government treated firefighters during the 2002/3 national pay strike, and because of growing disaffection with the direction of the party. Last year’s annual union conference in Southport voted decisively against re-affiliation with Labour.
Against this background, Labour leaders in Northumberland regard persuading the county branch of the FBU to officially support their election campaign as a significant coup.
Labour says the FBU has given its backing following discussions between the union and the party about the future direction of the new council, including manifesto commitments to improve services, keep council tax low and protect staff jobs across the council.
Yesterday Colin James, Northumberland FBU secretary, said: “We have observed with interest the internal changes in the local Labour movement and have viewed Labour’s proposals should it be in control of the new unitary authority.
“The protection of services and jobs are paramount issues which we are pleased to hear will be a key part of the new council, if they are in control.
“We are happy to endorse the Labour candidates.”
Labour’s election campaign agent, Susan Dungworth, said: “This support of a key union in Northumberland is great news for us. All candidates have signed up to a new council delivering services in a radically different way.”
FBU national spokesman Duncan Milligan said: “Although we remain disaffiliated from Labour, individual regions and branches of the FBU make their own decisions about which candidates they are happy to support.””
Thursday, 10 April 2008
NO ROOM IN PARTY FOR THE GANG OF FOUR
Apr 10 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal
FOUR rebel Labour councillors who are standing as independents in next month’s unitary elections in Northumberland are said to have been barred from attending a farewell party with their former colleagues.
County councillors Ivan Hayes, David Montgomery, Bill Ashbridge and Paul Kelly have been frozen out of today’s drinks evening at County Hall in Morpeth at which members of the county council’s ruling Labour group will say their goodbyes.
It will be a final get-together for the group before it splits up in the switch to unitary local government next year.
Couns Ashbridge, Hayes, Kelly and Montgomery decided to quit Labour and stand as independents after falling foul of the party drive for more women candidates. Now it has been made clear to them they are not welcome at the party, paid for from a fund all group members have paid into.
Coun Montgomery said: “Ivan Hayes was told the four of us would not be allowed to attend this party and he passed the message on to me. As far as I am concerned, the decision is not down to the group leadership but to certain individuals who don’t want to associate with us. We have been through some hard times as a Labour administration at County Hall and I have made some good friends in the group, so it is sad that it has come to this.
“It would have been nice to have had a drink together and say goodbye, despite what has happened, but we have been prevented from doing that by a petty decision.”
One group loyalist, who asked not to be identified, said: “I don’t know of any official ban, but none of us expects the so-called Gang of Four to attend the party. They have turned their backs on the Labour Party for personal gain and I’m sure some people would walk out tomorrow night if they turned up.”
Coun Hayes, executive member for corporate services, did not attend this week’s executive meeting after being “advised” not to in light of his decision to go independent.
He said: “I suppose this all shows how bitter things have become
Friday, 4 April 2008
Labour Party Stalwart Bill Garrett is standing as a independent against Tony Reid
Published on 04/04/2008 TYNEDALE Council leader Michael Walton has sprung a huge political surprise, by opting to stand against an official Conservative candidate in elections for the new Northumberland unitary authority.Coun. Walton, who previously stated he would not seek a Conservative nomination for the new council, will stand in the Bellingham ward, against Tory county councillor John Riddle on May 1.Another surprise is the line-up for the Prudhoe East ward. Labour Party stalwart Bill Garrett, a councillor on Tynedale District Council since its creation in 1974, is standing as an independent. He is taking on former party colleague Tony Reid, current deputy leader of the county council, in what is usually regarded as a safe Labour seat.Of the 13 seats to be fought in Tynedale, six are being contested by sitting district or county councillors standing as independents against official party candidates.In addition to Coun. Walton and Coun.Garrett, flying the independent flag will be Paul Kelly in Bywell, Alex Kerr in Humshaugh, Bill Purdue in South Tynedale, and Ray Thompson in Stocksfield and Broomhaugh He is taking on former party colleague Tony Reid, current deputy leader of the county council, in what is usually regarded as a safe Labour seat.Of the 13 seats to be fought in Tynedale, six are being contested by sitting district or county councillors standing as independents against official party candidates.In addition to Coun. Walton and Coun.Garrett, flying the independent flag will be Paul Kelly in Bywell, Alex Kerr in Humshaugh, Bill Purdue in South Tynedale, and Ray Thompson in Stocksfield and Broomhaugh
BYE BYE BYWELL PAUL
Love of Labour is lost
Apr 4 2008 by Ben Guy, The Journal
AFORMER Labour councillor has criticised the “damaging” party policy that forced him to resign because of his gender and that could see a candidate who lives 23 miles from the ward being elected.
Northumberland county councillor Paul Kelly will stand as an Independent candidate in the forthcoming unitary elections, while the Labour candidate for his Bywell ward will be Seaton Delaval-based Mary Pidcock, currently a member of Blyth Valley Council.
Coun Kelly is one of a number of male Labour candidates who have not been allowed to contest their seats by the party as it is seeking to bring in more women candidates.
But Coun Kelly, who lives in Ovington, said: “As a councillor of 11 years standing and a great deal of experience, I am being pushed aside to make way for someone from an entirely different constituency.
“I have been forced to go Independent, which is not a choice I would take by inclination but it is the only route left that I can take.
“It is a very damaging policy that has been clumsily applied.”
Coun Kelly said that he had waited until the last possible minute before handing in his nomination paper, in case a late reprieve had allowed him to stand for the Labour Party.
He said: “I didn’t commit myself until it became clear that the regional director was not prepared to budge, and it wasn’t an easy thing to do. My whole family background is Labour.
“The Labour Party has abandoned me. I have been forced to go Independent because the people in my division deserve better than having an inexperienced and unknowledgeable candidate.” But Coun Pidcock defended her right to stand as the candidate, insisting that as a resident of Northumberland she was more than capable of serving the division.
She said: “I don’t think he has a right to be saying these things.
“It is not about people, it is about the party.
“It is quite arrogant to stand as an Independent candidate because he won’t be able to achieve as much without the Labour Party behind him.”
And Coun Pidcock added that it was right that her party tried to introduce more female candidates.
Earlier this week The Journal reported how Bill Ashbridge, David Montgomery and Ivan Hayes as well as Coun Paul Kelly were quitting the party to contest the May 1 elections as Independents after seeing nominations for their county council seats handed over to female candidates.
As a councillor of 11 years standing, I am being pushed aside to make way for someone from an entirely different constituency.
Apr 4 2008 by Ben Guy, The Journal
AFORMER Labour councillor has criticised the “damaging” party policy that forced him to resign because of his gender and that could see a candidate who lives 23 miles from the ward being elected.
Northumberland county councillor Paul Kelly will stand as an Independent candidate in the forthcoming unitary elections, while the Labour candidate for his Bywell ward will be Seaton Delaval-based Mary Pidcock, currently a member of Blyth Valley Council.
Coun Kelly is one of a number of male Labour candidates who have not been allowed to contest their seats by the party as it is seeking to bring in more women candidates.
But Coun Kelly, who lives in Ovington, said: “As a councillor of 11 years standing and a great deal of experience, I am being pushed aside to make way for someone from an entirely different constituency.
“I have been forced to go Independent, which is not a choice I would take by inclination but it is the only route left that I can take.
“It is a very damaging policy that has been clumsily applied.”
Coun Kelly said that he had waited until the last possible minute before handing in his nomination paper, in case a late reprieve had allowed him to stand for the Labour Party.
He said: “I didn’t commit myself until it became clear that the regional director was not prepared to budge, and it wasn’t an easy thing to do. My whole family background is Labour.
“The Labour Party has abandoned me. I have been forced to go Independent because the people in my division deserve better than having an inexperienced and unknowledgeable candidate.” But Coun Pidcock defended her right to stand as the candidate, insisting that as a resident of Northumberland she was more than capable of serving the division.
She said: “I don’t think he has a right to be saying these things.
“It is not about people, it is about the party.
“It is quite arrogant to stand as an Independent candidate because he won’t be able to achieve as much without the Labour Party behind him.”
And Coun Pidcock added that it was right that her party tried to introduce more female candidates.
Earlier this week The Journal reported how Bill Ashbridge, David Montgomery and Ivan Hayes as well as Coun Paul Kelly were quitting the party to contest the May 1 elections as Independents after seeing nominations for their county council seats handed over to female candidates.
As a councillor of 11 years standing, I am being pushed aside to make way for someone from an entirely different constituency.
Who will work with Peter Hillman at ONE North East ???
So now we have it - all bar an ineffective Tony Reid has been dropped by the party.
The reasons they are manifestly different.
Most have been dropped because they simply would not listen to the Labour Party.
The party in Northumberland that is. The one had supported their re-election but did not support closures of fire stations, care homes, schools.
Why should a ward who have not been listened to or involved in the decisions at County Hall support or listen to the those responsible for forcing onto an unwilling population a 'hung' single council.
At a stroke they have taken 'local' out of local government.
The leader, the architect of the totalitarian approach to democracy has now run to hide in ONE north east - primarily we hear, to help with the transition to a single unitary.
Who will work with him - the districts and those likely to win power despise him and all he stands for?-not likely.
We hope his tenure there is as short and ignominious as the one he has now. He is a disaster waiting to happen - but for the region now.
And who appointed him? We see the dead hands of Alan Clarke and Mr Henderson in all this - the 'old boys network' gone beserk.
We understand that both South East Northumberland Councils will walk out of any meeting with him involved - we also hear that the other districts will do the same now.
The reasons they are manifestly different.
Most have been dropped because they simply would not listen to the Labour Party.
The party in Northumberland that is. The one had supported their re-election but did not support closures of fire stations, care homes, schools.
Why should a ward who have not been listened to or involved in the decisions at County Hall support or listen to the those responsible for forcing onto an unwilling population a 'hung' single council.
At a stroke they have taken 'local' out of local government.
The leader, the architect of the totalitarian approach to democracy has now run to hide in ONE north east - primarily we hear, to help with the transition to a single unitary.
Who will work with him - the districts and those likely to win power despise him and all he stands for?-not likely.
We hope his tenure there is as short and ignominious as the one he has now. He is a disaster waiting to happen - but for the region now.
And who appointed him? We see the dead hands of Alan Clarke and Mr Henderson in all this - the 'old boys network' gone beserk.
We understand that both South East Northumberland Councils will walk out of any meeting with him involved - we also hear that the other districts will do the same now.
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