Ex Chief Exec - Dave Clark

[Ghostrider]

I also suspect that Sandy will be quietly looking forward to the end of his term. I do believe he has been out of his depth.

 

On that I can agree completely. My personal opinion has been that when he was all togged up with his chain of office on doing the "civic" side of the role, he was in his element, and did the job proud. But when it came to the political side of it, especially when there was any kind of controversy afoot (and lets face it when doesn't it go hand in hand with politics), he came over as struggling and ill at ease.

 

When Wills brought up having a seperate political leader and civic leader early on in this council, I wondered what he was banging on about at first as I couldn't really see the point, but it soon became apparent where he was coming from. Perhaps even a "diplomatic" move of his part to try and allow Sandy his glory, yet have someone in charge of the political side who was more at home with it. If anyone could have been found from the 21 possibles.

 

A kick-ass Convenor who takes no sharn and runs a tight ship is certainly desperately needed to get the whole show back on an even keel and moving ahead. Thick skin, dogged determination, and the ability to revel in the face of adversity a must.

[Keedle]

The Shetland Times have now updated their leading story . Interesting reading !!!

[keetiebairdie]

Contacting your councillors to complain is ok for some, but paulb could by any chance your local councillors be those for Lerwick North, if so, they are 1. the convenor, 2. Wishart, 3. Miller? What chance any reply! Do you think they will fall on their swords?

[paulb]

i agree your stuffed. i thought the comment about democracy was cheeky at least. how can their ignoring what the majority of shetlanders want be democratic.

[Florence]

Does anybody know whether it is possible for some sort of complaint for maladminsitration to be brought against the council? I don't know what grounds could be used.[/quote

 

Many posts have referred to employment law. I think this is irrelevant in this case. Mr Clarks case will rely on contract law and whether the SIC have breached their contract with him and vice versa whether any of his actions have breached his contract with them.

 

From an employment and contract law aspect it is possible that there may have been an inadequate employer response to the events that occurred. eg. no counselling sessions, no verbal or written warnings, no disciplinary proceedings. This lack of action on the part of SIC has left the coffers of the Shetland public wide open to Mr Clarks legal defence.

 

I feel that the Shetland public have been let down by their elected representatives and we should have some recourse.l

[Acillat]

Well, firstly - thank god he has gone.

 

However, I cannot comprehand him receiving 250 K ( which is probably going to be nearer 500K with his tax and legal fees ) of Shetland's money. I cannot make it on Saturday but I would urge anybody who can to go along.

 

The only good that could possibily come of this would be a complete re-election. How Sandy thinks the public will just a draw a line under this I don't know, it is also quite ignorant.

[Guest Anonymous]

considering it was Jan Riise that gave the legal advise on the contract were stuffed I reckon, it also means that when we want rid of that useless piece we will probably end up giving him a shed load of money too.

[Florence]

Presumptiously, it would appear that we have no other option other than to pay this settlement to Mr Clark because legally he would win his case and the settlement would be much higher.

 

What questions and what answers come of this?

[Brian]

For Rona

 

My mind, because the minds that I have loved,

The sort of beauty that I have approved,

Prosper but little, has dried up of late,

Yet knows that to be choked with hate

May well be of all evil chances chief.

If there’s no hatred in a mind

Assault and battery of the wind

Can never tear the linnet from the leaf.

[Florence]

One question from me.

 

Why did our elected members not follow standard SIC employment procedures that would have protected Shetland Islands Council and the Shetland public from this happening?

 

It appears there were many events in Mr Clarks employment that would have resulted in the instigation of SIC employment procedures in any other case. Why were these procedures not implemented in Mr Clarks case?

[BigMouth]

(**mod edit**)

[ll]

Any suggestions on which song he will pick for his karaoke performance and the Marlex this week ?!

[Guest Anonymous]

(**mod edit** )

[Treeplanter]

I understand the the champange corks have been popping in St Olaf Street tonight.......absolutely disgusting.

 

The Convenor's "line should be drawn" under this entire Council....who employed Big Dave in the first place....and then are happy to pay out £500,000 of OUR money to get rid of him.....time they all also exited the Town Hall and submitted themselves to re-election...now.

 

( Just think how many much music tuition at £160 per year per student you could fund with £500,000 of OUR money......do the sum you 22 plonkers.....it works out at 3,125 student years....yes THREE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE )

 

and....yes...the celebrations in st Olaf Street are still continuing a pace...and will do for some time yet.

 

ABSOLUTE DISGRACE..!!!!!!!!

[hardanger]

One thing is certain. The Shetland public must now take every possible step to ensure that there is an independent report on this fiasco. One which will examine every aspect of the case, including the legal advice provided. It should be conducted by a QC. of standing: certainly not by anyone connected with local government and particularly not COSLA.