What did Andrew Roberts answer to questions about the Headteachers’/Teachers’ Joint Consultative Committee at the First-tier Tribunal (Information Rights) hearing (EA/2016/0033) (continued)?

What did Andrew Roberts answer to questions about the Headteachers’/Teachers’ Joint Consultative Committee at the First-tier Tribunal (Information Rights) hearing (EA/2016/0033) (continued)?                                                         At the outset I will make four declarations of interests. 1) I am the Appellant in this case (EA/2016/0033). 2) My wife was my McKenzie Friend in case EA/2016/0033. 3) I … Continue reading “What did Andrew Roberts answer to questions about the Headteachers’/Teachers’ Joint Consultative Committee at the First-tier Tribunal (Information Rights) hearing (EA/2016/0033) (continued)?”

Andrew Roberts at a public meeting of Wirral Council's Schools Forum 3rd December 2014

What did Andrew Roberts answer to questions about the Headteachers’/Teachers’ Joint Consultative Committee at the First-tier Tribunal (Information Rights) hearing (EA/2016/0033) (continued)?

                                                       

At the outset I will make four declarations of interests.

1) I am the Appellant in this case (EA/2016/0033).
2) My wife was my McKenzie Friend in case EA/2016/0033.
3) I made the original Freedom of Information request on the 29th March 2013.
4) I am referred to by name (Mr. Brace) in paragraphs 1, 4 and 5 of the witness statement of Andrew Roberts.


Hearing: EA/2016/0033
Court/Room: Tribunal Room 5, 3rd Floor
Address: 35 Vernon St, Liverpool, Merseyside L2 2BX
Date/time: 16th June 2016 10:15 am

First-tier Tribunal (Information Rights) (General Regulatory Chamber)
First-tier Tribunal Judge Mr. David Farrer QC
First-tier Tribunal Member Mr. Michael Hake
First-tier Tribunal Member Dr. Malcolm Clarke

Appellant: Mr John Brace
First Respondent: ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office)
Second Respondent: Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council


The below is an incomplete record written up from my handwritten notes made at the hearing. The below does not cover some of the sections when I am speaking due to the difficulties in taking notes as doing that you end up facing the paper you’re writing on.


Continues from What did Andrew Roberts answer to questions about the Headteachers’/Teachers’ Joint Consultative Committee at the First-tier Tribunal (Information Rights) hearing (EA/2016/0033)?

Andrew Robert’s 5 A4 page witness statement can be read here.


Andrew Roberts at a public meeting of Wirral Council's Schools Forum 3rd December 2014
Andrew Roberts at a public meeting of Wirral Council’s Schools Forum 3rd December 2014

First-Tier Tribunal Judge Mr David Farrer QC asked the witness Andrew Roberts how long ago the Headteachers’/Teachers’ Joint Consultative Committee had been set up?

Andrew Roberts answered that he didn’t know, but that he’d been attending meetings of it for five years. However in his opinion, it had likely been seen up by the council in response to a request by the trade unions and representatives of the schools.

First-Tier Tribunal Judge Mr David Farrer QC asked what the purpose of the Joint Consultative Committee was?

Andrew Roberts answered that its main purpose was for the schools to have access to, talk to and lobby elected Members [councillors].

First-Tier Tribunal Judge Mr David Farrer QC said as an outsider, were the trade unions anxious to make their views know to Members and officers, was that its main impetus?

Andrew Roberts answered that that was his thinking, yes.

First-Tier Tribunal Judge Mr David Farrer QC referred to its controversial role in relation to academies, but did it also cover financial issues such as pay?

Andrew Roberts answered that taking the academies issue, it was an opportunity for the representatives of schools and an opportunity for Members [councillors] to consider their views on the position of the academy agenda. He stated that Wirral Council had taken a neutral view and had not encouraged or discouraged academies, but he would need to test that.

First-Tier Tribunal Judge commented that it was two-way traffic and indicated to First-tier Tribunal Member Dr. Malcolm Clarke that he could ask questions.

First-tier Tribunal Member Dr. Malcolm Clarke said he wanted to take it in a slightly different way. He was not aware that confidentiality was agreed. He referred to the earlier question about its Terms of Reference.

He asked if it was true to say that there was nothing to stop the trade unions or headteachers communicating what happened at the meeting to their [trade union] members or school?

Andrew Roberts answered his question by stating that he didn’t know whether that was the case or not?

First-tier Tribunal Member Dr. Malcolm Clarke referred to the huge quantity of paper in evidence. He asked why it hasn’t been reviewed? He asked why hadn’t in the last 3 years the [Headteachers’/Teachers’ Joint Consultative] Committee been asked its view on maintaining a &lrdquo;safe space”? He referred to this as a “glaring ommission”!

Andrew Roberts said that it was a good question, but that he didn’t know the answer.

Robin Hopkins (barrister for Wirral Council (2nd Respondent)) asked if the Joint Consultative Committee was open to the public?

Andrew Roberts answered no.

Robin Hopkins asked a further question of Andrew Roberts to which he answered it was not open.

Robin Hopkins asked him if the minutes had ever been disclosed?

Andrew Roberts said he was not aware that they had been.

Robin Hopkins asked if his expectation was that he [Andrew Roberts] had said they were confidential?

Andrew Roberts answered yes.

Robin Hopkins asked if what was said in the meeting they would say publicly?

Andrew Roberts said it was true of the teaching representatives.

Robin Hopkins referred to the blacked out text, asked if they would convey their points with the same information as recorded if they were made public?

Andrew Roberts stated that it was unlikely. His view was that it was not in public. If the teaching and non teaching representatives thought their views would be made public they might convey them differently.

I (the Appellant John Brace) then had the opportunity to ask questions of Andrew Roberts (which I used) that are not recorded here in detail.

However below are two of the questions I asked and their answers.

One of the questions I did ask of Andrew Roberts was had the minutes of the Headteachers’/Teachers’ Joint Consultative Committee been approved at the next meeting [on the 6th June 2013]? Andrew Roberts confirmed that they had.

Another question I asked was in relation to "qualified accountant" in his witness statement and whether this meant he was registered with an accountancy body? He confirmed that he was.

First-tier Tribunal Member Mr. Michael Hake asked a further question about approval of the minutes.

Andrew Roberts answered that they had been finalised after they had been to the next meeting which had resolved to approve them.

First-tier Tribunal Member Mr. Michael Hake said that at the meeting after, was this the same meeting at the time of the request or were they in draft form?

Robin Hopkins stated that the draft minutes were circulated in the days after the meeting and that they were rubber stamped at the next meeting but the information was the same between the draft and approved version.

First-tier Tribunal Member Mr. Michael Hake made a further comment about the draft minutes.

Robin Hopkins explained that they were circulated and read by email with the intention that any amendments would be emailed back ahead of its meeting the next term.

First-tier Tribunal Member Mr. Michael Hake asked if the draft minutes were produced?

Robin Hopkins answered yes.

First-tier Tribunal Judge Mr. David Farrer QC pointed out that it was a bit late now.

First-tier Tribunal Member Mr. Michael Hake said he was being assiduous.

First-tier Tribunal Judge Mr. David Farrer QC pointed out that if it was not in existence at the time of the [FOI] request then they [Wirral Council] don’t have to disclose it.

First-tier Tribunal Judge Mr. David Farrer QC checked if there were any further points and then called the next witness [Surjit Tour] who he referred to as the Chief Executive.

Robin Hopkins pointed out that Surjit Tour was not the Chief Executive [of Wirral Council].

Continues at What did Surjit Tour answer to questions about a Freedom of Information request to Wirral Council at the First-tier Tribunal (Information Rights) hearing (EA/2016/0033) (continued)?.

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Author: John Brace

New media journalist from Birkenhead, England who writes about Wirral Council. Published and promoted by John Brace, 134 Boundary Road, Bidston, CH43 7PH. Printed by UK Webhosting Ltd t/a Tsohost, 113-114 Buckingham Avenue, Slough, Berkshire, England, SL1 4PF.

4 thoughts on “What did Andrew Roberts answer to questions about the Headteachers’/Teachers’ Joint Consultative Committee at the First-tier Tribunal (Information Rights) hearing (EA/2016/0033) (continued)?”

  1. G’day John

    On a scale of good entertainment in the courthouse over Kev and Stella’s Stinking Stagnant Wirral Waters this poor man brought in as a stooge for “The Shyster” et al was a bit of a bland, boring, non-event.

    Enough said he didn’t wanna be there and contributed zilch which you can see in the photo I believe.

    I thought Judge Whatsi had dropped off to sleep at a “crucial” moment.

    But “Phil the Very Very Deluded Dill” never never fails to amuse with his ridiculous golf (foot in mouth) schemes and hair brained ideas.

    The latest in the rubbish paper from over Kev and Stella’s Stinking Stagnant Wirral Waters together with a photograph of a, possibly suspicious handshake, with his dear, darling, Uncle Joe the most ridiculous nonsense yet

    Liverpool and Wirral Stock Exchange will support growth of local firms

    Ooroo

    James

    Still haven’t heard of anyone playing or talking about foot golf yet.

    Maybe AdderleyDadderleyDoo Lally could don the “shirt” and have “The Chamber Potty” carry his spare balls around Arrowe Park for a photo shoot.

    They could play a four ball with “Phil the Very Very Deluded Dill” and “Ankles”.

    1. The stock exchange matter has yet to be decided. It goes to Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet on Friday morning and Wirral Council’s Cabinet on Monday morning. Here’s a link to the report going to Wirral Council’s Cabinet and the report going to Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet, along with Appendix A and Appendix B.

      As it’s a proposed joint project, both Cabinets need to agree with each other.

      Even if it is decided, there will then be a period when the decision can be "called in".

      I think you are right about Andrew Roberts’ body language gave off the impression that he was out of his comfort zone. However he’s always softly spoken. Even microphones have trouble picking him up at public meetings.

      However, he was the only one out of the two Wirral Council witnesses that had actually been to the meeting in question in 2013.

      It’s probably better (for Wirral Council) if their witnesses are in your opinion “bland” rather than state something they may regret later!

      My impression of Andrew Roberts is he came across as honest, perhaps so honest that as some points he made were so honest it didn’t entirely help Wirral Council’s narrative.

      1. Spot on John

        He was only there to cover “The Shyster’s” massive shiny suited arse.

        Ooroo

        James

        Didn’t think ” THE Shyst” was going to fit in that witness chair it was only a double.

        I do hope they demand they show what “POTTY MOUTH” had to say but I think we both know they won’t it will go the way of the Wirralgate tape and all its dross….talking of “The Shyster”.

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