Masons 'do not influence council'
AN INVESTIGATION behind closed doors has ruled that Freemasonry has no influence on Torbay Council's decision-making.
The Freemasonary claims were made in the Herald Express on May 27 by councillors Roger Carter, Nicole Amil and Robert Excell.
They also alleged that Tory group leader Kevin Carroll had 'punished' them by removing them from committee positions. These claims were backed up by Cllr Gordon Oliver.
Following publication of their claims in the Herald Express, monitoring officer Keith Stevens launched an investigation, and his findings were presented to the Standards Referrals Sub-Committee.
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Mr Stevens began the inquiry because he felt the allegations could bring the council into disrepute.
The Herald Express asked to see the report, but the standards sub-committee said such information is never made available to the public.
The Herald Express has now submitted a Freedom of Information request, asking for a copy of the report.
After analysing Mr Stevens' report, standards sub-committee members Peter Dalzell, Sylvia Faryna and Cllr Ian Doggett were 'satisfied that no action is warranted'.
A statement from the standards sub-committee warned the councillors about making further 'unsubstantiated allegations' publicly in the future.
It added: "The sub-committee has informed the three members making the unsubstantiated allegations that it regards the making of unsubstantiated allegations in the public domain as an unedifying spectacle, given the absence of evidence and the potential damage to the reputation of the council in the eyes of the community and, indirectly, its officers.
"The sub-committee has reminded the three members identified in the press article that genuine and substantiated concerns can be raised in more appropriate ways in accordance with the council's procedures.
"The sub-committee has also considered claims by the same small number of councillors relating to their removal from some committee places and the power of the group leader.
"The sub-committee has considered a report by the monitoring officer on these issues and is satisfied that no action is warranted."
The standards sub-committee also stated that councillors 'named in the newspaper as being Freemasons have all denied that their membership affects their council work'.
It added: "The sub-committee noted that none of the officers dealing with development control matters or the monitoring officer are Freemasons.
"The sub-committee took into account that none of the members making the allegations has provided any evidence to substantiate them in spite of requests to do so.
"In view of this, the sub-committee has concluded that no useful purpose would be served in pursuing the matter further."
The Herald Express attempted to speak with the councillors concerned, but only Robert Excell responded, saying he did not want to comment.
This comes after larger-than-life Tory Party chairman Eric Pickles spelled out his anger to the councillors, saying the matter should not have been brought into the public domain.
Mr Dalzell, chairman of the standards sub-committee, said: "The report was undertaken by the monitoring officer as part of his remit.
"If he considers that an area of conduct could potentially bring the council into disrepute, he will investigate.
"As part of his job he looked at this issue to see if the allegations could be substantiated.
"We found that there was no backup evidence to corroborate the allegations made in the newspaper.
"Unless anyone else can come forward with further evidence we can't go further.
"To show transparency the committee considered it would be appropriate to publish a statement about its findings."
Comments
by billcoop
Sunday, October 28 2012, 11:33AM
“The masons have caused three deaths in Lyme Regis alone, not to mention a destroyed beach, a harbour built at the wrong angle, millions spent on traffic lights, and now a 2 million shortfall on Dorchester council offices that nobody wanted. We are supposed to believe that all this stupidity is just vanity projects, and that cash - or keys for a flat in Spain - only happens elswhere.”
by Alan, Paignton
Wednesday, July 15 2009, 11:00AM
“I refer to the Conservatives staging an 'Open Primary' in Totnes seeking a replacement candidate for Anthony Steen.
The recent MPs expenses scandal is but the tip of the iceberg of the problems which can and still do exist causing future financial burden for the tax payer.
Transparency is a must for the individuals making up the political and commercial high flyers who help to run or ruin this great country.
Openess and transparency should be the 'menu of the day'
and too many of these people are members of secret societies as the 'Freemasons'.
Councils, Police, MPs, Members of the Law and many others in high positions of trust are recruited into these 'jobs for the boys' societies.
It is time the public were made aware of these people. A secret society is exactly what it says, SECRET. Originally created to protect the livelihood of members of the circle against outside influences. This still rings true today with members benefitting from other members within the circle. One cannot be a member of the society and be completely impartial. This would go against the policies and secret vows made to the society but positively would be detrimental to the interests of their employers, the tax paying public..
Both my family and my wifes family are or have been freemasons since the end of WW2. Several relatives and friends have achieved high levels within the Masons and are members of some of the more important Lodges.
Obviously I am more aware of what goes on currently and in fact much of what is intended in the near future.
Before you good people of Totnes vote for a candidate please I beg you to write to David Cameron and demand he ensure that any candidate who is a member of a secret society must frankly admit it.
This may be your last chance to right many wrongs and Totnes could be historically remembered as the town which made the country a lot more open than it is today.
Regarding the the current allegations with Torbay council I honour those three brave individuals, councillors Roger Carter,Nicole Amil and Robert Excell attempting to open up the bed of worms which quite obviously resides within the council and I am sure I speak for most honest voters when I say 'Thank you' and your voters back you to the hilt.
Obviously others within the council such as Kevin Carrol who have condemned these three are either Masons themselves or too fearful to say otherwise.
Finally, I do not think I am alone in in the hope of disposing with our egotistical present mayor, Nick Bye. As a freemason it was already a foregone conclusion he will be chosen as candidate for the position and the two women nominees are just the icing on the rather muddy cake.”
by phil, tqy
Wednesday, July 15 2009, 8:17AM
“my old landlord was a mason and made a point that he'd get planning to do work on a listed house in chelston.”
by Ex handshaker, Torbay
Wednesday, July 15 2009, 7:30AM
“More money wasted on having a very weak attempt at trying, yet again, to pull the wool over the eyes of the public. The mere fact that they felt it necessary to discuss this matter only confirms that the funny hand shake brigade do influence the council. It also demonstrates very clearly what the council think of the voters. FOI seems to only apply to those members of the council who show each other a leg whilst sipping tea,or whatever, at a certain hotel that welcome the masons with open arms and breast bared. I know the system, i've been there. The sooner there's an election the better.”
by david, paignton
Tuesday, July 14 2009, 7:02PM
“another roaring success for democracy.lets hope the voters keep this in mind when election time comes around.don't vote for anyone who represents the three main parties.in my opinion torbay council is full of out of touch, uncaring, self serving, patronising individuals who routinely treat us like fools.”
by Baggins, Torquay
Tuesday, July 14 2009, 1:41PM
“This stinks.
Baggins looks forward to the report being released under FOI.
The Councillors who complained are of a refreshing new breed that do not feel under obligation to toe the party line when that line conflicts with the best interests of residents.
Time for a referendum to get the mayor on his bike.”
by Damian, Torquay
Tuesday, July 14 2009, 12:37PM
“Aren't the freemasons infamously secretive?? The fact that no proof can be found may be more as a result of a successsful cover-up rather than that the allegations were untrue. My view is that whoever is 'influencing' the council they are not having a positive effect as the whole administration is a shambles. Cutting childrens services and then proposing £36million of borrowing to provide new offices at the town hall???? Disgraceful. Sounds like the masons feathering each others nests at the expense of vunerable people in our community to me.”
by Voter, Torquay
Tuesday, July 14 2009, 11:54AM
“So ... a secret hearing was held, to discuss a secret report about whether or not members of a secret organisation are putting their own interests before those of the Bay public.
I think we can rest assured that we are being taken for complete and utter idiots.”