The Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) has called on the Department of Communities to oversee the running of the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
NIPSA official, Alan Law said the Council was “completely out of control”.
Mr Law said a number of complaints had been lodged against the Council’s Chief Executive, Anne Donaghy (pictured) who was not currently at work.
In a letter to Minister for Communities, Deirdre Hargey, Mr Law said NIPSA members had no confidence that the Council could provide any competent investigation or supervision into their complaints against the Chief Executive or the resultant breaches of confidentiality.
NIPSA’s complaint follows controversy over a decision to withdraw staff conducting checks on goods flowing to and from the European Union at the Port of Larne over potential security concerns.
Police later found that there was no evidence of credible threats.
The Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) said it was “acutely aware of the issues related to the Council and is ensuring that dynamic, thorough and diligent advice is provided at corporate level”.
“The association, as with all member authorities, will support Council to ensure that resource deficits, staff wellbeing and strategic input by members are all moved forward in the interests of the borough and its citizens,” the NILGA statement said.
In a statement, a Council spokesperson said it would not comment on individual complaints “but any complaint will be progressed appropriately in accordance with Council’s policies and procedures”.
The Council said it was continuing to work with all unions.
Belfast, 19 October 2021
