Your Ref:
Our Ref:376535 /
Mr Michael Stanford
Email: / 23 July 2015
Dear Mr Stanford
Freedom of Information Act Request 376535
Thank you for your recent request received 16 April 2015. Your request was actioned under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in which you requested the following –
“I would like to know with regards to Mayor Joe Anderson's employment tribunal and subsequent appeal (Appeal No. UKEAT/0206/14/MC) against his previous employer Chesterfield High School/ Sefton Council what work was undertaken by Liverpool City Council's solicitor(s) and other staff on behalf of Mayor Anderson as referred to in the JUDGEMENT (ref http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKEAT/2015/0206_14_1404.html) . Specifically relating to this matter
1. the number of letters and other communications sent on his behalf
2. what preparation for the case was undertaken by city solicitors
3. what meetings were held in relation to this matter (for example with Mayor Anderson, Mr Edward Morgan, Brabners LLP and any other parties), where were (if any) these meetings held
4. which other Liverpool City Council staff were involved in any work undertaken
5. details of specific time undertaking work by all staff working on this matter(including composing letters, meetings, giving advice and all other reasons)
· also giving total accumulative time
6. what was the cost for any work that was undertaken by the council employees
7. did Mayor Anderson pay for any of these services.”
Response:
The City Council has reviewed its records and can provide the following responses to your questions –
In relations to questions (1), (2), and (4) to (6), Liverpool City Council can advise that neither the City Solicitor, Council Solicitors nor other City Council Officers have produced or sent any letters or communications in relation to the above referenced Employment Tribunal case or the subsequent Appeal in the course of those proceedings.
The preparation and conduct of both the Employment Tribunal Hearing and subsequent Appeal were entirely a matter for the Solicitors appointed by Mr Anderson OBE in his personal capacity and of Counsel subsequently instructed by his appointed Solicitors.
With regard to question (3), Liverpool City Council does not hold any information or details as to any meetings held between Mr Anderson OBE and his personal legal representatives.
The involvement of the City Council in meetings relating to the proceedings consisted only of the attendance of the City Council Chief Executive and City Solicitor in pursuance of their duties to safeguard the interests of the City Council.
The circumstances and potential outcome of the case clearly impacted upon the status of the role of an Elected Mayor generally. Liverpool City Council had only recently adopted the Mayoral model of governance and required clarity around the status , not only of the current office holder ,but also that of any individual who may wish to stand for the office of Elected Mayor in the future.
There was no precedent upon which to rely nor any case law in the area so this required testing in order to give certainty to the City Council and to ensure its informed operation of the governance model going forward. Neither the Chief Executive nor the City Solicitor met with Mayor Anderson in order to advise him on the conduct of his case.
With regard to questions (7) no services were provided by Council officers to Mr Anderson OBE and therefore no costs were incurred or charges levied as no work undertaken by council employees in the conduct of the tribunal case.
This concludes our response.
The City Council will consider appeals, referrals or complaints in respect of your response and these must be submitted these in writing to within 28 days of receiving your response. The matter will be dealt with by an officer who was not previously involved with the response and we will look to provide a response within 28 working days.
If you remain dissatisfied you may also apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision about whether the request for information has been dealt with in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
The Information Commissioner’s website iswww.ico.gov.uk and the postal address and telephone numbers are:-
Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House
Water Lane, Wilmslow
CheshireSK9 5AFFax number 01625 524 510 Telephone 01625 545745
Email – (they advise that their email is not secure)
I trust this information satisfies your enquiry.
ÿYours sincerely
Mike Jones
Mr Mike Jones
Deputy Head of Democratic & Information Services
Information Team Municipal Buildings Dale Street Liverpool L2 2DH
Telephone 0151 233 0418 Email