Whistleblower ‘sacked’ as RoFTRA chief

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In an extraordinary sequence of events, Steve Sharples, Chief Officer of Rochdale Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations (RoFTRA), found himself ‘sacked’ by the RoFTRA Board following his sacking of former Chief Officer David Bartlett.

In an exclusive interview with Rochdale Online, Mr Sharples explained he has major concerns at the way RoFTRA is being run, and in particular the influence of Isle of Wight resident David Bartlett.

Mr Bartlett handed over the role of chief officer last year to Mr Sharples having created a new role within the organisation, Policy and Performance Advisor, a role he assumed. However, Mr Sharples says that it quickly became clear that Mr Bartlett was intent on still running things, undermining his role to the extent that his PA Jennie Morton, formerly PA to Mr Bartlett, was sending detailed reports to Mr Bartlett on his (Mr Sharples) movements, actions and conversations.

Mr Sharples was also surprised to find the date of a RoFTRA Board meeting changed at Mr Bartlett’s suggestion - action Mr Sharples insists is not the prerogative of a Policy and Performance Advisor to the Chief Officer - without he says consultation with him, to a date it was known he could not attend.

Mr Sharples also questioned, in writing to RoFTRA Chairman Clint Street, a payment of £10,584 made to David Bartlett on 8 January 2009. Mr Street and RoFTRA officer Peter Brierley signed the cheque for what Mr Street described in writing as “a sum in lieu of notice” ending Mr Bartlett’s role as Chief Officer. The cheque was issued after Mr Sharples assumed the role of Chief Officer and, he says, without his knowledge or consent. Mr Sharples also says he could not find any board minutes approving the payment to Mr Bartlett.

Mr Sharples says he has “grave concerns about the propriety of the payment” as such a payment is normally only applicable were there is no continuity of employment with the organisation, and Mr Bartlett had executed a well planned move between roles and hence “there was continuity of employment”. It is Mr Sharples contention that the payment should not therefore have been made.

In a letter to RoFTRA Chairman Mr Street, dated 20 April, Mr Sharples outlined his decision to ask Mr Bartlett to relinquish his post as Policy and Performance Advisor with immediate effect, a course of action he followed through. Mr Sharples also suspended PA Jennie Morton on ‘gardening leave’ for behaviour he described as “disloyal and unacceptable” and a “serious breach of the code of trust and responsibility employees owe their employers”, and he added that it could be “gross misconduct” and “grounds for dismissal”.

In a further letter dated 25 April, Mr Sharples also asked Mr Street to consider resigning his position as Chairman for what he described as “colluding with David Bartlett to undermine my position”.

On Sunday 26 April Mr Sharples had a letter from Mr Street, to his great surprise delivered by taxi to his home in Blackrod, effectively removing him from his post as Chief Officer - a letter Mr Sharples says he believes was composed by Mr Bartlett even though signed by Mr Street.

Mr Sharples attempted to resist but to no avail and, with Mr Sharples sidelined, Mr Bartlett was reinstated to his role and Ms Morton also resumed her duties, only for Mr Bartlett to send a note to Mr Street suggesting she be made redundant with a generous tax free redundancy payment.

Over the ensuing weeks many allegations and counter allegations have been made and a letter sent to Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) - RBH provides substantial funding to RoFTRA - by concerned tenants associations asking a number of questions about the way RoFTRA is being run.

RBH called a meeting of tenants groups on Wednesday 20 May and issued the following statement after the meeting:

“In the last fortnight RBH has received many enquiries from tenants and tenants groups concerned about rumours regarding Rochdale Federation of Tenants and Residents Associations (RoFTRA). RBH responded on 15 May by writing to all our recognised groups inviting them to attend a meeting on 20 May, which had been specifically requested by some tenants.

"The 20 May meeting was attended by 33 tenants and 4 residents, representing 20 tenants groups.

"The meeting was generally very positive and constructive. There was some criticism of RoFTRA, but this was definitely not directed at the vast majority of staff nor at individual RoFTRA board members. However, the meeting did pass a motion of no confidence in 'the way RoFTRA is operating'.

"It should be understood the meeting has no official status in relation to RoFTRA, but RBH hope that RoFTRA communicates with its member organisations in the near future.”

RBH Chief Executive Gareth Swarbrick also confirmed to Rochdale Online that RBH is conducting an ongoing investigation into RoFTRA.

Rochdale Online understands that RoFTRA has retained the services of housing expert Marianne Hood since Mr Sharples was removed from his post - Ms Hood was herself sacked from her post with housing association William Sutton Homes in 2007, she claimed because she criticised the way parent company Affinity Sutton operated – however, questions are being asked as to how much Ms Hood is being paid and on whose authority she was hired.

Rochdale Online has requested a response from Mr Bartlett and Mr Street but no response has been forthcoming at the time of publication.