This is an FoI request that was made to Wirral Council on 6th October last year
It’s now 7 months old and not much further forward, although it was lodged as an appeal with the ICO some time ago.
This was how the Wirral Globe reported these rumours at the time, which have now been confirmed insofar as the £48,000 payment was definitely made. Frank Field’s intervention, ostensibly on behalf of a group of whistleblowers a year later, confirmed this.
The following was a reminder sent in March to the ICO, urging them to get a move on. I’ve since sent another one, but still they move with the urgency of a tortoise, asleep on a glacier.
I have an idea which senior officer took delivery of this bumper cheque. I would imagine the £48,000 will be long gone, so we can all wave goodbye to it.
It’s probably been largely “invested into the local retail economy” by now.
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From: Paul C
Sent: 19 March 2014 23:01
To: ‘casework@ico.org.uk’
Subject: RE: ICO Case FS50522678[Ref. FS50522678]
Dear Mr Perry,
I just wanted to make it clear that this case revolves around large and undeclared amount(s) of public money which have been paid across and have not repeat NOT received any of the correct oversight.
Can I remind you that the Opposition Leader at the council asked a very specific question about the reputed £48,000 that was readily paid to a senior officer. The council leader refused to confirm or deny that this had occurred, referring the questioner / chamber to the CEO’s position on the matter. The Chief Executive had sent an email to ALL 66 councillors, basically banning them from talking about it or asking any questions. A “Get out of jail free card” such as this cannot be played within any system calling itself “open and transparent democracy”.
There is a compelling and legitimate public interest in knowing the amounts and it would not be acceptable for the data controller to draw a blanket across in the shape of a Section 40(2) exemption which is inappropriate, an unfair obstacle and a kick in the teeth to public oversight …………of its own funds,
Best regards,
Paul Cardin
This was the earlier blog post on this issue
Return to Bomb Alley 1982 – The Falklands Deception, by Paul Cardin
Amazon link
Wirral In It Together 
Reblogged this on Ian Lewis.
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Hi Paul the words dogged determined comes to mind & reading John Braces latest blog on Local government transparency code 2014 where the government will force the council to be open & transparent something Wirral council have never been. We shall wait & see what Surgit Tour will concoct to try & avoid government legislation together with Graham Burgess the two data controllers can come up with to duck & dive to avoid the truth. If you have an inkling of who the £48,000.00 lucky winner is why not say & let them deny it.
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Good point Jon.
I might wait until the new mayor is invested. This fresh injustice will give us all new momentum. There’ll be a new drive to remind everyone of what Foulkes was involved in and what is still being collectively covered up with the help of our cash.
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Pingback: £48,000 to “You Know Who”. Frank’s demand. Dragging their feet in Brighton Street. | Wirral In It Together
I do not think that WBC would without inordinate delay, deployment of a battery of lawyers and some degree of obfuscation ever pay a whistleblower such an enormous sum,who might have suffered enormously as a result of WBC being tardy, and even a tad deceitful.
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