Bristol Waste has parted company with its third top boss in just six months, sparking alarm that the latest exit was “concealed” from councillors. The city council’s refuse and recycling firm has confirmed interim managing director Jason Eldridge, 51, stepped down last month because of ill health.
But the “suspicious” timing has caused concern because it comes days before the publication of Bristol Waste’s annual business plan, which is already delayed, and only six months after the resignations on the same day of the previous MD Tony Lawless and finance director Adam Henshaw. No reasons were given for the pair's departures on July 18, other than that Mr Lawless, who had been in charge for four years, had “stepped down” and Mr Henshaw had “left the business to be free to pursue other opportunities”.
Resources scrutiny commission chairman Conservative Cllr Geoff Gollop told a Bristol City Council meeting on Tuesday (February 14) that he was concerned that members had not been informed about the latest departure and had to find out through a public filing at Companies House. Cllr Gollop said: “Last month overview and scrutiny management board (OSMB) members were told the business plan had been delayed.
Read more: Bristol Waste bosses resign 'at short notice' from city council company
“This seemed unusual given the timetable for business plans had been clearly established and agreed, but we were told the plan would now be brought to an additional OSMB meeting on February 27. I was surprised last Friday to receive a notification from Companies House that the interim managing director had ceased to be the MD on January 12, which was before we were notified of the change to the business plan.
“I can’t understand for one moment why it didn’t occur to anyone that not sharing that information with members was not a good idea. It is quite remarkable and extraordinary that it was concealed from us in the hope that we wouldn’t find out or notice.
“Had we been briefed in confidence we would have been aware of the situation, but when we are given no explanation or background I can only be suspicious of what has gone on, what the problems are and how big they are. This is the third managing director to depart. If the departure is the reason for the delay, we should have been told.
“In previous years, we have at least known that the MD of each company was instrumental in leading the business plan process. Is there a managing director? Is anyone leading the business plan?
“What is happening in a company that provides a major service to every resident in Bristol? Members should not have to ask for such information and the failure to face up to this is concerning and shows serious failings in governance and accountability on the part of the city council.”
He told OSMB on Tuesday that authority bosses must reassure councillors the plan would still be available by February 20 – a week before the meeting when the agenda papers must be published – and explain who would be acting as managing director. There was no response in the meeting to his questions.
A Bristol Waste spokesperson said: “The interim managing director, Jason Eldridge, stepped down in January due to ill health. We thank Jason for the contribution he made to Bristol Waste, both as operations director and Interim MD, and wish him well.
“Whilst we are in the process of recruiting a permanent MD, Ian Osborne, Bristol Waste non-executive director, has taken on the role of MD on an interim basis. Ian has extensive experience of the waste industry and has held a number of senior roles, such as group managing director in a range of businesses.
“We look forward to announcing our new MD in due course.”
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