TIMELINE SHOWING EVENTS LEADING TO THE STEPPING ASIDE OF THE SENIOR CASE OFFICER
(All emails referred to available from GlosVAIN on request – all quotes in italics are taken directly from emails)
Date
Event
Evidence
Comments
st
Friday 21
Meeting of Senior Management Team to discuss case.
Sequence of events
Up to this point there was no evidence of a
September Ben Gilpin, the Senior Planning Officer advises his
document – p 253 of suggestion of the need for external
2012
manager Chris Kenneford that he is minded to refuse
FoI Info.
support
or defer the application. “CK asked for my opinion on a Page 122 of FoI
recommendation (stated at the time as one for
requests - Email
refusal/deferral)”
from Ben Gilpin.
Saturday
Chris Kenneford telephones David Payne of BPP
Copies of emails
This goes against the information in the
22nd
Consulting, asking him to submit an outline of how he between Chris
“Sequence and events” document
September could assist GCC in dealing with the application
Kenneford and David prepared by Duncan Jordan for the Chief
2012
Payne provided by
Executive, Peter Bungard, on 29/30th
anonymous whistle
October (see page 253 of FoI information)
blower.
–it says BPP were only contacted on 24th.
Sunday
David Payne submits outline proposal, which includes Copies of emails
The “Sequence and Events” document
rd
23
the suggestion that he would “review the County
between Chris
says that BPP Consulting was first
September Council draft report(s) and liaison with the County
Kenneford and David approached on 24th September (see
Council – particularly regarding issues over which we
Payne provided by
above)
differ in professional opinion or where evidence does
anonymous whistle
not support conclusions”
blower.
Monday
Chris Kenneford sends email to David Payne agreeing Copies of emails
The idea that BPP should take over from
th
24
terms. This states that BPP should undertake a
between Chris
the senior planning officer is first mooted
September ““Critical Friend” review and “sense-checking” of the
Kenneford and David by Chris Kenneford, over a week before
9.45am
emerging draft report being produced by the GCC Case
Payne provided by
Ben Gilpin asks to be removed from the
Officer and his general position/professional views on
anonymous whistle
case.
the application, robustly challenging these as necessary blower.
to ensure that a defensible and watertight position is
Chris Kennford has in effect entered into a
established”. He also suggests that this might involve
contract to employ BPP Consulting
““the taking-over” of the drafting of the Committee
through this email. This understanding is
report and recommendations, with a view to producing
confirmed in Ben Gilpin’s email on p.122
a full revised draft (including draft Condition) by the
which shows they were appointed on the
Monday
24th
10.10am
Wed
26th/Thurs
27th Sept
Friday 28th
Sept.
Tuesday
2nd Oct
Tuesday
2nd Oct
Wed 3rd –
Fri 5th
first week of December for internal/Counsel review and
then finalisation by early January”
Chris Kenneford writes to his manager, Duncan
Jordon, recommending that BBP Consulting be
appointed and asking for a quick meeting to confirm.
Email confirms that both Chris Kenneford and Duncan
Jordan know David Payne “from a previous life”. He
mentions the need to agree “a commissioning process
for this piece of work.”
Advice sought on procurement process. Chris
Kennford asks for special dispensation to ignore the
procurement route and states that the contract will be
“well below the £50k threshold”
Draft Business Case justifying the “Critical friend
Review that BPP Consulting will be carrying out”
produced.
Case Officer, Ben Gilpin, receives email from David
Payne informing him that Chris Kenneford has
appointed BPP Consulting “to provide assistance with
the preparation of the Committee Report” and asking
for a meeting
Case Officer asks to be taken off the case.
Consultant’s brief broadened to include drafting of
committee report and recommendations
24th September
Copy of email
provided by
anonymous whistle
blower. Ben Gilpin’s
email of 4th October
p.122 of FoI
Information.
Sequence of events
document – p 253 of
FoI Info.
Email to Claire Smart
p 132 of FoI Info.
Email from Chris
Kenneford to Duncan
Jordon p131 of FoI
Email from David
Payne p.245 of FoI
Information
It is clear that Chris Kenneford has
appointed someone he knows, and has not
gone through any fair and open
procurement process.
Sequence of events
document – p 253 of
FoI information
The case officer was not told of BPP
Consulting’s appointment until after the
event – see Ben Gilpin’s email on p.122.
The Whistle Blower implies in her/his
statement that the Case Officer’s position
had become untenable.
The email sent by Chris Kenneford on 24th
September (see above) already included
this as a possible requirement. That email
was sent before any discussions with the
Sequence of events
document – p 253 of
FoI information
This advice was sought after BPP had
already been told they’d got the job – see
Ben Gilpin’s email of 4th October on p.122
which shows they were appointed on the
24th September
The Justification is produced after the
decision has been made.
Is this the first time that the Case Officer is
informed of the appointment? The
wording of the email would suggest this.
4th
Thursday
October
5th Friday
October
10th
October
10th
October
15th
October
8th
November
Ben Gilpin writes an email to Sarah Pearse, much of
which has been redacted. In it, he implies that BPP
Consulting was appointed as a consequence of the
meeting where he expressed his opinion that the
application should be refused or deferred.
Brief and terms and conditions “(in lieu of more formal
contract)” sent by David Payne of BPP Consulting to
Chris Kenneford
Following email p.131 from Duncan Jordan to Chris
Kenneford 3rd October which refers to need to ‘modify
the brief’, Chris Kenneford emails David Payne an
amended project brief “which now includes a
requirement to draft the report and recommendations
to Planning Committee”
Sarah Pearse recommends removing the Javelin Park
files from Ben Gilpin’s desk, and Steve Smart sends
Ben Gilpin an email confirming that he has been
“unassigned as case officer”.
Email from David Payne to Chris Kenneford confirms
that the total cost of their contract is now estimated at
£40,425 + £8,085 VAT + expenses. The Business Case
is updated and signed off the next day
Email from Chris Kenneford to Steve Smart confirms
that the brief given to BPP reflects their role and that
“there is nothing beyond this in writing.” “The Order
Confirmation Form is the only formal contract with
BPP”
Email from Ben
Gilpin p.122 of FoI
Information.
Case Officer.
Did the events all happen as a result of
Ben Gilpin’s professional opinion of the
application, stated as deferral/refusal?
Email from David
Payne, p133 of FoI
Information.
Email from Chris
Kenneford p.155 of
FoI Information.
Further evidence that normal contracting
processes were not pursued
Email to Chris
Kenneford p. 161 of
FoI information
The person who had been studying the
application in depth for 9 months is now
no longer involved.
Email from David
Payne p. 222 of FoI
Info; and from Chris
Kenneford and
Business case p.233
Email p.283 of FoI
Information
The costs of the contract is now very
nearly at the £50k mark where GCC’s
contracting procedures would have
required going out to tender.
The proposal put forward on 24th
September is now formally included in the
agreement with BPP Consulting
Again, formal processes were not
followed. It is worth noting that when the
contract with BPP got near the £50k mark,
the contract was terminated. We believe
other consultants have since been
employed.