Second ‘Stepped Back’ Director Leaves GBC – Council Wishes Him Well

Published on: 16 Sep, 2024
Updated on: 17 Sep, 2024

By Martin Giles

The final senior director in place at Guildford Borough Council when there was an £18.5 million overspend on a Housing Maintenance contract has left the council.

Left to right: Ian Doyle whose departure was announced today, Annie Righton, who also “stepped back” in February when she was interim CEO and resigned in April, Dawn Hudd, who resigned in May to take up the post of CEO at Arun District Council, and Tom Horwood, the former joint CEO who left in January for personal reasons. This image is from August 2022.

Ian Doyle, joint strategic director for Transformation and Governance, left Guildford and Waverley Councils on Friday (September 13) to pursue new challenges.

Mr Doyle, who was in the management chain, at times, above those who were suspended or had their contracts terminated as part of the Housing Revenue Account overspend investigation, has been on “fully paid gardening leave” since February when he was asked, together with his fellow senior director Annie Righton, to voluntarily “step back” from all his duties. Their “stepped back” status has never been officially defined.

But GBC was at pains once again to make it clear that they did not wish to imply any criminal wrongdoing.

A GBC spokesperson said: “In our statement issued on 16 February 2024, we referred to an investigation relating to the procurement and management of housing maintenance contracts for Guildford Borough Council. We wish to make clear that it was not the intention of Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils to suggest in that statement any criminal wrongdoing whatsoever on Ian’s part.”

See: Senior Directors Step Back Following New Report on Fraud & Overspend Investigation

It is understood that the former senior director has agreed a financial settlement with GBC but the amount has not been disclosed.

In a prepared statement the council also said: “Ian has been a valued member of the corporate management team throughout his tenure with first Guildford Borough Council and then the joint management team for Waverley and Guildford Borough Councils. He played an important role whilst putting in place a team and a delivery plan to provide a pathway to financial stability for Guildford Borough Council. We wish him well for the future.

“Ian has always demonstrated a passion for the community and residents, supporting and building strong relationships with partners and stakeholders. He was instrumental in negotiating and re-establishing community access for community disabled sport at The Edge Leisure Centre in Haslemere, strengthening relationships with Guildford City Football Club and supporting the growth of women’s and children’s cricket facilities.”

Ian Doyle commented. “I look back on my achievements in a challenging time for local government with pride. I have thoroughly enjoyed it. The place and people get into your heart, and I have been lucky enough to collaborate with fantastic people, clubs, and community groups. Both councils have dedicated, hardworking, committed people that love delivering services to their own community.

“I have massively enjoyed working for Waverley and Guildford but now is the time for me to seek new challenges. I wish the best for the staff of both councils and the people and communities of Guildford and Waverley.”