One of the leading figures at Thanet District Council is set to leave his role today – as a bullying scandal engulfs the top of the authority.

Sources have told KentOnline that deputy chief executive Tim Willis - described as an "honourable man" by one senior councillor - will be stepping away from his job following mediated talks.

The news was discussed at yesterday’s full council meeting – after the exclusion of the press and the public – and comes in the wake of the release of a damning report into the running of the authority.

The document, penned by auditor Grant Thornton, says six separate investigations conducted over the last two and a half years “identified at least two cases where they considered there to be clear evidence of bullying”.

And one of the independent reviewers even noted that there is a “culture of overt bullying, intimidation, victimisation or humiliation within the council”.

The Grant Thornton report states: “The management culture has allowed the perception that attempts to raise legitimate concerns will be met by disciplinary action.

“In our view, the council’s duty of care to officers has been compromised due to the length of time individuals have had to suffer significant reputation damage without resolution.”

Mr Willis, 61, received an appeal in 2019 from a whistle-blower who named chief executive Madeline Homer and operations director Gavin Waite in a list of complaints, which included bullying and harassment.

But, to the outcry of many councillors, Mr Willis was later suspended from his role, without any reason given for the shock decision. The suspension was lifted a month later, as he was cleared of all allegations of gross misconduct.

The Grant Thornton report notes, throughout 2019 and 2020, there were a series of linked complaints and grievances involving “a number of officers” and the authority’s most senior figures – Ms Homer, Mr Willis, Mr Waite and director of governance Tim Howes.

It details “a serious breakdown in relations” between the leading quartet, with “examples of serious allegations made by senior officers without adequate, or in some cases any, supporting evidence” unearthed.

“Individuals raising grievances and whistleblowing complaints, that we consider to have merit, [were] subject to disciplinary action prior to the substance of their complaints being formally considered,” the firm adds.

“Senior officers’ behaviour was found to fall below the standard expected on a number of occasions, indicating a repeated pattern of behaviour by some individuals.

“Follow-up action taken was not sufficiently robust or consistent with action taken against other senior officers. In our view, this contributed to further escalation.”

TDC – which is described as being in a perilous financial state – is said to have already shelled out more than £700,000 on legal advice.

Further costs are expected to be incurred as the authority awaits the decision of employment tribunals.

The auditor predicts financial “pressures that the council will be unable to meet without reducing reserves” even more.

After the company wrote to one of the authority's committees in July to air its worries, further complaints were lodged and another employment tribunal claim has been submitted.

“[There are] escalating costs, adding to unsustainable cost pressures [and] a fragile financial position,” Grant Thornton continues.

“The position described represents a failure of governance with serious concerns about the ability of senior officers to work together in the best interest of the council.”

Grant Thornton is urging the authority to identify additional savings “to address the cost pressures created in resolving the grievances and whistle-blowing complaints”.

It also recommends that the body appoints “an experienced, independent monitoring officer” and agrees an approach to respond to the concerns raised.

"The council’s management culture has been described by one independent reviewer as a ‘culture of overt bullying, intimidation, victimisation or humiliation'..."

Following the publication of the report TDC leader Cllr Ash Ashbee (Con) said: “I have been clear that a key ambition of my leadership and administration is to improve governance, so I welcome the recommendations shared with the council today.

"Good governance is the cornerstone of good local government and it is essential that we do everything we can to improve the way we work.

"It is absolutely right that members will have the chance to discuss the recommendations, to participate in the process and ensure we commit to a robust plan of action."

A TDC spokesman said of Mr Willis’s departure: "Tim’s last day will be today.

"The council has arrangements in place to ensure that the statutory elements of his role will be covered.

"As is entirely appropriate to respect confidentiality, we will not be commenting further on internal staffing matters."

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