Bristol Live readers have voiced their concerns and criticisms following the news that numerous Bristol City Council employees have been bound by gagging orders. The topic of mismanagement within the council has become a prominent point of discussion among commenters.
Recent data disclosed that in the past five years, 59 staff members left the council after signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). These NDAs often accompany severance packages and prevent former employees from discussing their experiences with the council publicly.
This figure, which excludes school staff, came to light after Cllr Graham Morris (Conservative, Stockwood) posed a question during a member forum meeting on Tuesday, January 14.
One reader, Jabbymisschief, had this to say: “Mismanagement continues unabated. Poor management is a major problem within the council system yet never addressed. Instead easier targets are chosen, for example libraries and public toilets are closed.”
Jonty2 adds: “As per usual, no accountability ever for senior Council officers’ mistakes and now they can easily guarantee their immunity by paying staff off with public money. This is public money and any use of public money is supposed to be open to scrutiny.”
Freewheeler comments: “No wonder the Green Party want to increase the Council Tax for everyone, increase the cost of meals on wheels or ignore SEND provision. This is one area funding should be STOPPED, not by closing libraries and public toilets.”
Grockel1 writes: “Many large employers and people in positions of power force Settlement/Gagging agreements on those they force out to protect the business. I wish the government would rule them worthless and not worth the value of the paper they have been printed on.”
Junius1 thinks: “As WECA has shown, non-disclosure agreements are a bad thing in blocking the transparency and accountability of an authority and preventing employees from honestly disclosing what they know. It’s even worse when employees receive payment for this as part of their exit payments.”
Grockel1 replies: “WECA is similar to BCC in that it is political and serves the people of Bristol! Even the now defunct Mayor was a party person. All can be rosy on the outside with hidden Settlement Agreements from the inside.”
So why do you think Bristol City Council impose NDAs on staff when they leave? Let us know HERE or in the comments below.