East Staffordshire BC has rubbished claims that members of staff are leaving in droves and morale is at an all-time low. A whistle-blower from the council contacted local newspaper, the Burton Mail, and described how ‘an atmosphere of terror' was hanging over the town hall because of uncertainty over the future of jobs. But a council spokeswoman told The MJ things had been ‘totally blown out of proportion', and there was no crisis. ‘There are concerns as we go through our administrative review, but these concerns have been fuelled by reports in the newspaper and not by what is happening at the council,' she explained. ‘A couple of people are leaving to continue with their local government careers, but this is just part of the usual coming and going which occurs at any council. This is not out of the ordinary.' The whistle-blower also suggested acting chief executive, Simon Baker, was trying to force a merger between East Staffordshire BC and neighbouring Staffordshire Moorlands DC. But the council stated there was ‘no truth to this rumour'. Mr Baker was brought in from Staffordshire Moorlands DC on in interim basis when Marie Ainsworth was forced to leave the council due to ill health in January. Last week, Mrs Ainsworth, who has cancer, announced her retirement. ‘I am sad to retire at this time in such circumstances, and while I have to follow firm medical advice, I wish the residents and the council every success for the future growth and development of the borough,' she said. A council spokesman confirmed it would be deciding what action to take over the chief executive post in coming weeks.
