Geoff Davis Becomes a ‘Special Adviser’ in Re-jig of Executive Responsibilities

Published on: 7 Aug, 2017
Updated on: 9 Aug, 2017

Several moves have recently been confirmed at Guildford Borough Council. At the full council meeting on July 25 it was announced that some responsibilities had been reassigned within the Executive by Council Leader Paul Spooner (Con, Ash South & Tongham).

Cllr Geoff Davis

Cllr Geoff Davis’ (Con, Holy Trinity) entire asset management portfolio, including: management of property assets, land management trusts and funding strategy, employment land strategy and community buildings, has been added to the responsibilities of Cllr Michael Illman (Con, Shalford) who was already the lead councillor for finance. He now becomes lead councillor for finance and asset management.

A new set of responsibilities has been assigned to Davis who is now the lead councillor for “special projects and social enterprise” which includes: special adviser to the leader on town centre regeneration and other special projects, Guildford philanthropy and social enterprise, commercialisation of traded services and review of grants, a responsibility, previously held jointly by Cllrs Nikki Nelson-Smith (Con, Christchurch) and Iseult Roche (Con, Worplesdon).

Cllr Michael Illman

Cllr Davis recently appeared to criticise the slow rate of progress in the project to revamp Guildford Museum at the borough council’s Executive meeting on June 27, (2017). He said that he had calculated each of the 10,000 annual museum visitors was, “subsidised by over £50 before they get through the door” adding, “I am not against the museum, I really want it to be sorted out but it is a slow and ponderous process sitting in some valuable buildings.”

On his new role, the councillor said yesterday (August 6): “I am very pleased with my new responsibilities focussing on supporting the leader on key project delivery. Top of that list is M&G, North Street.”

M&G Real Estate, a global property investment company, 18% of whose portfolio is shopping centres, is a key player in the scheme to redevelop North Street. They own the Friary Shopping Centre, in addition to other sites in Guildford.

In another council move, it has been confirmed that Sandra Herbert the council’s legal services manager who also has the important role of monitoring officer, is to leave. The move has surprised some councillors and council officers, she only assumed the role of monitoring officer in November last year (2016) after the unexpected departure of her predecessor, Satish Mistry.

A council spokesperson said: “Sandra Herbert… is leaving after a period of nearly three years with us. Sandra travels in from Sussex each day and has now decided to pursue her career closer to home.

“We wish her well for the future and thank her for the work she has done. Until we appoint a new monitoring officer, the deputy monitoring officer Sarah White will handle any matters as necessary.”

The monitoring officer is the person charged with ensuring Guildford Borough Council (GBC) operates in accordance with the law, protocols and codes of practice. Part of the role is to handle complaints made against the council and individual councillors.

Monika Juneja

Recent cases, including a complaint against former councillor Monika Juneja and the existing chair of the planning committee, Cllr Marsha Moseley, have been controversial.

In both cases the monitoring officer at the time, Satish Mistry, called in independent investigators. In the Juneja case the investigator, Dr Robin Hooper, found no wrongdoing despite a letter from the Director of the Bar Standards Board stating Juneja had committed a criminal offence which would have “clear implications for the investigation report”.

Dissatisfied complainants referred the matter to Surrey Police who secured a conviction against Juneja. GBC, while acknowleding reputational damage, has never admitted culpability.

Cllr Marsha Moseley

In the case involving Cllr Moseley, an independent investigator, Tim Darsley, recommended that she made a public apology after comments made at the end of a Planning Committee meeting in April 2016.

It is believed that before he left, Satish Mistry, who was sent on paid leave for six months so that GBC was not left with substantial pension liabilities, agreed with Darsley’s recommendation. But shortly after Mistry’s departure a standards committee decided an emailed apology by Moseley, sent to the complainants but rejected by them, was sufficient.