Newport Town Council’s deputy clerk has been dishing out council work to a contractor who she knows privately and who, it was claimed this week, is not fully equipped to do the job.
The Advertiser has learned that deputy clerk, Jayne Parnham, has a personal relationship with the workman and is handing him maintenance jobs ahead of other contractors.
Mrs Parnham employed the contractor, who lives in Albrighton and who does not drive, for several jobs around the town and has been using council time to chauffeur him to different locations to carry out the work.
A source, who does not want to be named, told the Advertiser that Mrs Parnham knows the contractor privately - outside the Town Council - creating a conflict of interest. The council’s Code of Conduct, adopted by all councils, states that employees should not put themselves in a situation where a conflict of interest could arise.
The source told the Advertiser: “I know this man has been given work before other contractors. Mrs Parnham has a personal thing with him and that does not seem to be in-line with the rules.
“She is wasting council time by driving him around when any established contractor would have their own transport.
“I don’t think rate payers would be happy if they knew they were paying for her to drive someone around town when she should be doing her own office work.
“I wonder if he even has public liability insurance? What if something happened while he was working, is he covered?”
Mrs Parnham confirmed she drives the contractor to jobs and said he is covered by insurance, but refused to confirm if it was the same insurance used by other council workers.
“I have done nothing wrong. I have worked for this council for 17 years. I may drive him around but these days we are told to car share and help the environment. I have a good relationship with all of the contractors and I choose the best person for each job,” said Mrs Parnham.
Town Clerk, Lee Jakeman, said: “The Deputy Town Clerk is a long serving and valued member of the town council staff and has a vast amount of experience in dealing with contractors.
“Mrs Parnham is currently on holiday and I am unable to comment specifically at this time.”
Mr Jakeman said he was investigating the details of the contractor’s public liability insurance.
By Jason Lavan
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