Panel rap for school governor

Mar 2 2008 by Catherine Evans, Wales On Sunday

A COUNCILLOR escaped suspension at a disciplinary hearing after the local government ombudsman said he was “less than frank” at a teacher’s employment tribunal.

Blaenau Gwent Council’s standards committee made the decision after considering an ombudsman’s report that said Coun David Wilkshire, of the Rassau ward, wrongly sat on a teacher’s appeals panel in 2004.

Coun Wilkshire will be sent on a special training course instead.

Ombudsman Alan Peat said there is “sufficient evidence” to suggest Coun Wilkshire, who is chair of governors at Rhos Y Fedwen primary school in Ebbw Vale, knew too much detail of the teacher’s dismissal to sit on the panel.

Coun Wilkshire, who denies having a detailed knowledge of her case, told the committee he was “extremely disappointed” with the ombudsman’s conclusion, but that he had no choice other than to accept it.

He drew attention to the fact that the ombudsman did not believe Coun Wilkshire had acted maliciously.

Coun Wilkshire said he “only ever had the school’s best interests at heart” and acted in good faith.