Northern Ireland

Scathing review finds 'leadership lacking at CEO and senior executive level' at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council

An independent review into governance arrangements at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has found that "leadership is lacking at CEO and senior executive level"
An independent review into governance arrangements at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has found that "leadership is lacking at CEO and senior executive level" An independent review into governance arrangements at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has found that "leadership is lacking at CEO and senior executive level"

A scathing review into governance arrangements at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has found that "leadership is lacking at CEO and senior executive level".

The independent report also identified "fundamental structural governance weaknesses" in the authority's leadership at both political and officer level.

The review was ordered after the publication of an extraordinary audit of the council by the Northern Ireland Audit Office last year.

The audit found there was a case for finding that two deals agreed by the unionist-dominated council "had not been granted lawfully" and identified a culture of "bypassing best practice" in the authority's transacting of land disposals and easements.

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It also stated that the actions of some senior council officers had "fallen short of the standards expected in a public body".

The audit, which was ordered by former Sinn Féin communities minister Carál Ní Chuilín in November 2020, made eight recommendations including that a council-wide review of governance arrangements should be carried out.

Former communities minister Carál Ní Chúilín. Picture by Brian Thompson/PA Wire
Former communities minister Carál Ní Chúilín. Picture by Brian Thompson/PA Wire Former communities minister Carál Ní Chúilín. Picture by Brian Thompson/PA Wire

In October last year Newtownabbey-based Integritas Consulting and Training Ltd was appointed to carry out the review.

The report's authors gathered information from various sources including a series of interviews with staff and elected members.

However, the 40-page report of the review reveals there was "limited engagement" by the DUP, which has overall control of the council, and Sinn Féin.

The hard-hitting report, marked not for publication, was completed last month.

The progress of the review, which was carried out between last November and January, was monitored by senior officials at the Department for Communities.

A second review into land and property-related policies has also raised significant questions about those in leadership roles at the council.

The reports were discussed at a special council meeting on Monday night.

While the detailed report focuses on various aspect of governance, its findings on how the local authority is run are startling, with both council members and officials highlighted.

"Overall, this review identified fundamental structural governance weaknesses in the council's leadership at a political, as well as senior officer level," the report states.

"In particular in the application of roles and responsibilities, and relationships, where essential trust between members and officers has diminished."

The report suggests that the relationship between some members "and between some members and officers is sub-optimal".

It concludes that some council members put their own interests before those of the public.

The author, who gathered information from documents, audio recordings of council meetings and interviews, concluded that "overall the council leadership has deteriorated at a political level".

"For example, the review found that some members act in their own interest and their party's interests before the greater public interest," the report states.

"In addition, the review found that some members overstep their role and try to direct and control officers.

"There is a loss of trust between some members and some officers and visa versa."

The report later claimed "there is too much focus on the politics of identity to the detriment of everyone in the council area".

It also noted "low staff morale caused by a lack of leadership support, uncertainty and insecurity".

"For a small minority of staff there is a deep cynicism of the prospect of any improvement in the council," the report states.

"Some dedicated staff indicated they have lost any pride in working for the council."

The report singles out the council's CEO and other senior figures.

"The review concludes that despite hard work, commitment and dedication, leadership is lacking at CEO and senior executive level."

Significantly, the report holds there is little prospect of change going forward.

"Considering these weaknesses the review is doubtful if the council has the capacity and capability at political and SLT (Senior Leadership Team) levels to strengthen leadership, or indeed if there is an appetite within the council to take a fresh approach with a different leadership style," the report states.

"The review recommends that the council need to take steps to strength (sic) its leadership capacity and capability."

The council's past performance is also highlighted.

"The council does not have a strong leadership track record," the report states.

"For example, in early 2020, the council was in a financial crisis when CIPFA was brought in to advise on rate setting following three years of zero rate increases."

The report author confirmed information was gathered from several sources while a survey was also carried out.

It labelled the response to the survey by council members as "disappointing" with just eight out of 40 completed and returned.

A series of interviews were also carried out including those with 15 key senior officers out of 19 who were invited.

The extent of engagement by elected members was again mixed.

"Ten members contributed to the review," the report states.

"There was limited engagement in the interviews by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), that had overall control of the council, and by Sinn Féin."

The governance and land and property review reports were among three discussed during a special council meeting on Monday.

Sources say the meeting was attended by a senior official from the Department for Communities.

A spokeswoman for Causeway coast and Glens council said: “Council considered the three independent reports at a special meeting of council on Monday 27th March and unanimously accepted the reports and agreed to develop an Implementation Plan in respect of all the recommendations contained in each of the reports.”

The Department for Communities was contacted.