The recent media reporting of events that occurred on a South Holland District Council sponsored research mission to London in October 2018 caused me some concerns.
The reporting is comprehensive and factual and clearly any actions which cause distress to any employee on council business needs appropriate investigation.
The reported investigation route leading to a hearing by a Standards Hearing Panel can, in outline and with some reservations, be adjudged appropriate.
Causes for concern in my mind however exist and are seen to involve:
The apparent extent of elapsed time between event and formal complaint.
The time and other economic costs incurred by the investigation at a time of heavy budgetary constraints.
The omission of any reference to past work done by Coun Coupland to bring his name and office into good repute.
With many years of senior management experience in broad based industrial and commercial organisations behind me, my preference has been to require any complaints such as misconduct to be lodged within two working days from the cause.
Moreover, a fast-track assessment of any complaint by senior managers from both line and human resource management teams has been found able to provide a fair hearing for both parties, whilst enabling speed of response to control costs and maintain a sense of well-being within the workplace.
I have been able to receive help from and work with Coun Coupland on a number of important parish and district council issues over the last three to four years. The progression of and results achieved from such work has led to the formation of a very high regard for his approachability, local knowledge, direct method of working, professionalism and commitment to the areas and people he serves.
This level of regard remains and I feel will be shared by others. I would not want this to go unrecognised and unreported.
In today’s sensitive equality and diversity atmosphere in and outside the workplace everyone has to acknowledge and accept a duty of care.
From the reporting it seems clear that there are lessons to be learned from the recorded events.
The equality and diversity training to be undertaken by Coun Coupland (and I hope any other councillors who feel they might benefit from such refreshment training) will help to reinforce issues presented in very many induction programmes. This has to be applauded. The line between jocularity, good teamwork and behaviour which can later be deemed inappropriate is a fine one which needs constant awareness to be exercised.
Hopefully, ways will be found by SHDC that will enable the lady in question to become free of any feelings of distress in the short-term and will allow Coun Coupland to proceed with the council work that, in my case, he has done so well.
M Raymond
Fleet Parish
