Conduct of West Wiltshire District Council

That this House condemns the way Councillor Bruce Bennett, Chairman of West Wiltshire District Council, on 8th January suspended from duty Mr Latham, the Chief Executive, partly because he was not prepared to participate in a cover-up of certain council activities and financial transactions and wished to provide answers to certain questions submitted by Councillor Maurice O'Gorman as part of his normal Councillor's duties; supports Mr Latham in wishing to see a democratic and open administration at West Wiltshire District Council; regards as fraudulent the way in which the Council's profitable computer software operations were transferred to a company called West Wiltshire Information Systems, the major founder shareholders of which were Mr Garland, the Council's former Chief Executive, and Mr Perkins, the Council's former Chief Rating Officer, and Mr Maslen, the Council's former solicitor, all of whom drew Council staff salaries at the same time they were receiving salaries from West Wiltshire Information Systems and notes information has not been provided indicating that any payment has been made to the Council for the software operations although this has been requested; notes the Council has been run behind closed doors by Councillors Bennett, Pearce and Self with the help of a few officers including the Deputy Chief Executive; welcomes the fact that the District Auditor has all the files and information necessary to carry out a full investigation; and expects him to do this as quickly as possible bearing in mind there has been such a loss of confidence in the Council by the electorate.