Officer is dismissed (From Gazette Series)

Officer is dismissed

A SENIOR officer in the housing department of Stroud District Council has been sacked, following allegations of fraud..

The officer has been dismissed over accusations connected to one of the council's contractors and police are investigating..

It is alleged the officer had a conservatory built at his own house and another at his mother's house, by staff from the council's housing maintenance contractors at little or no cost to himself..

Council spokesman Dave Marshall said: "The council can confirm that, following internal checking, a member of staff was suspended in October, 2003..

"Certain matters were reported to the police shortly afterwards..

Following a disciplinary investigation, the person involved has been dismissed..

"The council is assisting the police with their ongoing inquiries and therefore cannot comment further at this stage..

"Police economic crime unit officers confirmed they had raided two premises in Gloucester, as well as two homes in Painswick and Stroud on October 18, seizing property from all four..

Spokeswoman Kate Nelmes said: "Investigations into the fraud allegation are proceeding but police can confirm that at this time no arrests have been made..

"The Gloucester-based firm D J Hewer, which has a £750,000 contract to maintain 2,700 council homes in the north of the district until September, 2004, expressed surprise at the allegations..

Boss Simon Hewer said neither the council nor police had mentioned the allegations to him..

He said they had nothing to do with the company's decision, announced earlier this month by cabinet member Cllr John Jeffreys, to terminate its plumbing, building and carpentry repair contract..

That decision had been taken for purely commercial reasons and Mr Hewer said he had indicated to the council the company wished to be included on the tender list for the new contract..