So, Donna Hall is to go. First the Wigan Today headline said
she was resigning then 20 minutes later it was changed to retiring. Not for one
minute do I believe she is doing this out of choice. If she was thinking of retiring
she wouldn’t have taken on a new role as well recently. It doesn’t make sense!
She was pushed but they are being kind to her by allowing her to say she is
resigning in a years’ time.
However, with recent events it is not surprising, 2 high
court judges lambasting her for her illegal actions and costing tax payers money
half a million and growing every day. Another High Court case coming up for
damages. Her actions made the Council pay out £15,000 to ex Cllr Jim Ellis for libelling
him. Also, her recent bust up with the new Deputy Leader Keith Cunliffe at a
Manchester meeting. Let’s not forget the stupid programme she allowed – Don’t
blame the Council. Getting the Police to arrest an independent Cllr for no reason
and to get them also to break in to former Cllr peter Franzen house and arrest
him too. No charges on either of these cases. How much taxpayers money has that
wasted?
What many will not be aware of is a pending private
prosecution for misuse of public office. This is with regards her actions towards
Cllr Steve Jones. That will still be proceeding.
Many people have contacted me today and asked if this stops
the legal action against her? One word No! This is because we are taking her to
Court as well as Wigan Council. The reason is not to be awkward but in the first
hearing at the High Court the Council’s barrister tried, successfully, to say
she was acting outside her remit of the Council. OK, well we will take her to
court and many will have seen we have served high court papers on her and the
Council and there will be further update on that very soon. But even on the
matter of private prosecutions you can still get found guilty after you have
left office.
But if she is allowed to say she is resigning then she will
get her full pension and a golden handshake. After all she has cost the
taxpayer there is no way a golden handshake should be given. Many are taking
the positives out of this and saying she is going.
Going forward I hope the new Labour Leader Cllr David
Molyneux and Cllr Keith Cunliffe, as his deputy, get a truly professional impartial
Chief Executive. Yes, one that will carry out the Cabinet’s wishes, that is
their job, but one that also recognise the office of all elected members and
stop these witch hunts. One that commands the respect of all and one that is
truly one that Wigan will be proud off. For me I hope the former head of
Finance Dr David Smith applies or someone like him.
