Money siphoned by corrupt council staff in Bedford

A COUNCIL which suspended 31 staff to investigate their behaviour only ended up axing five of them permanently.

Since the creation of Bedford Borough Council four years ago the behaviour of 31 staff was investigated at a cost of £250,000 to the taxpayer.

On top of the five subsequent dismissals, 12 employees went on to resign while a further three were later made redundant.

Only 11 of those who were investigated still remain employed by the council.

The £250,000 was spent on the salaries of the suspended staff who stayed on full pay while they were investigated.

In total 26 staff were paid to stay at home while under investigation, despite eventually being cleared of any wrongdoing.

A Bedford Borough Council spokesman said:

There are two reasons for suspension. The employee has committed an act of potential gross misconduct which means remaining in the workplace cannot be tolerated. Or, a disciplinary investigation may be impeded by the person remaining in the work environment.

Investigations are undertaken as speedily as possible. However, some are complex and therefore take longer. The staff concerned are not on gardening leave, they are suspended from work.