Section 5 report issued against chief executive who complained of “impossible governance”
A section 5 report has been issued, and the interim chief executive of West Midlands Fire Service has been suspended from his post following comments he made on social media describing the organisation's governance as "wholly impossible".
In a statement issued on Monday, the service confirmed that Oliver Lee had been suspended ahead of ratification at a committee meeting next week (14 October).
The section 5 report, which is yet to be published, will be discussed at the same meeting and has been issued against Lee, according to a report from the Birmingham Mail.
The document, authored by the service's monitoring officer, Satinder Sahota, reportedly concerns Lee's decision to suspend the service's finance chief over concerns about the accuracy of financial support.
Commenting on Lee's suspension, a spokesperson for the service said: "This is not a decision the Fire Authority ever wanted to have to take, or takes lightly.
"The Fire Authority sought external, independent legal advice before making this decision, and, in line with the Fire Authority Constitution."
Lee was appointed as the service's interim chief executive in March of this year after its previous chief fire officer, Wayne Brown, passed away.
In September, he announced on social media that he did not want to become the service's permanent chief executive and said that the "governance of the organisation is wholly impossible, lacking as it does courage, transparency, care and honesty".
Lee wrote on LinkedIn: "I find this very sad in what should be, and could be, a superb public sector organisation.
"I really hope that someone can take it forward. 1,900 good people deserve this."
Responding to his announcement at the time, Cllr Greg Brackenridge, Chair of West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, said he would meet with him to discuss his concerns, adding: "West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority remains committed to good governance and in following due process in everything we do."
It has also been reported that Lee took to LinkedIn to threaten a vote of no confidence against the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service Authority, but his posts appear to have been taken down.
An independent investigation into the issues Lee raised concerning governance is underway, according to the fire service.
The findings of the investigation will be reported to the service and shared with its external auditors, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, and other key stakeholders.
Adam Carey
