'Incompetent' claim makes councillor quit cabinet role
A COUNTY council cabinet member has resigned after being branded incompetent by the Audit Commission for her handling of a parish council's accounts.
Tory councillor Tracey Critchlow, cabinet member for young people, stepped down yesterday with immediate effect.
She decided her position – in charge of the county's social services for children – was untenable following a report by the Audit Commission into the 2008-9 accounts of Tideswell Parish Council, where she was finance officer.
The report says that, "due to the incompetence of the previous finance officer" (Mrs Critchlow) cheques received totalling £4,773 were not banked in 2008-9, and invoices for rents due totalling £2,800 were not raised.
It also says that VAT was not reclaimed for the council, but does not give an amount.
In her letter of resignation, Mrs Critchlow said she felt it was "in the best interests of the county council and the Conservative Party to step down from my cabinet post".
Accepting her resignation, council leader Andrew Lewer said it was an "honourable and selfless" decision and there is no suggestion of any "act of impropriety" on her part.
He said: "Tracy has worked extremely hard as cabinet member for young people and has demonstrated great expertise and enthusiasm for all aspects of what is a difficult portfolio."
He thanked her for her hard work and dedication since June 2009, when she took up her cabinet post.
A county council spokeswoman said Mrs Critchlow had not committed a crime and was not under investigation.
She will continue in her role as county councillor for Chapel and Hope Valley division.
Mrs Critchlow will be replaced as cabinet member for young people by Councillor Barry Lewis, who represents Stonebroom and Pilsley.
Mr Lewis said being offered the cabinet role had come as a "shock" but that he was honoured to accept.
He said: "I worked as an archaeologist in my professional career.
"I've had a lot of experience of young people visiting archaeological sites and engaging with them.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge of this role and to improving the lives of young people in Derbyshire."
Mr Lewis said he felt Ms Critchlow had "probably done the right thing" by stepping down but would not comment further.
He officially takes over the post on Monday.
Neither Mrs Critchlow or Mr Lewer were available for interview yesterday.
3 Comments
by Louis, derby
Friday, September 03 2010, 7:53PM
“It was not just Tideswell, she made an huge mess of Breadsall Parish Councils accounts too, I wonder when that will be investigated. She should be facing a Court.”
by Irish Mick, Nottingham
Friday, September 03 2010, 4:57PM
“What happened to the £4,773 ? And what possible reason for such a disgraceful attempt at housekeeping, and from a Tory County Councillor whose responsibility was Finance Officer and has still keeping her job as a County Councillor to boot, Well good for her and the Tories who are supporting her, Her absolutly disgraceful attitude towards her duties in this role is a disgrace to any County Council and should be made to repay any monies lost by her incompetence to duty, and we the tax payer are still going to end up paying twice through her abysmal attempts in that office, I would wish this Council to explain why she is being allowed to receive her allowance when the County Council and City Council are throwing hundreds of decent hard working people on the dole with the stinking cutbacks whilst allowing this incompetent woman to stay on. Talk about looking after yer own !!!”
by Irish Mick, Nottingham
Friday, September 03 2010, 4:56PM
“What happened to the £4,773 ? And what possible reason for such a disgraceful attempt at housekeeping, and from a Tory County Councillor whose responsibility was Finance Officer and has still keeping her job as a County Councillor to boot, Well good for her and the Tories who are supporting her, Her absolutly disgraceful attitude towards her duties in this role is a disgrace to any County Council and should be made to repay any monies lost by her incompetence to duty, and we the tax payer are still going to end up paying twice through her abysmal attempts in that office, I would wish this Council to explain why she is being allowed to receive her allowance when the County Council and City Council are throwing hundreds of decent hard working people on the dole with the stinking cutbacks whilst allowing this incompetent woman to stay on. Talk about looking after yer own !!!”