Exclusive: Mystery as Rotherham finance chief quits

Andrew Bedford has left the post of strategic director of resources at Rotherham Council with the local authority refusing to provide any explanation for his dramatic departure or say whether any kind of pay-off is involved.

Mr Bedford, who received a salary package of £130,000 a year to run the council’s finances, was suspended on full pay on November 5 after unspecified allegations were made about his behaviour in the workplace.

At the time, Rotherham Council refused to confirm Mr Bedford had been suspended and his absence was only publicly revealed when the Yorkshire Post obtained a copy of a private letter sent to councillors by the authority’s Labour leader, Roger Stone.

The manner of his departure has angered the leader of the Conservative opposition on the council, John Gilding, who has written to the authority’s chief executive, Martin Kimber, to press for greater accountability and transparency.

Coun Gilding’s letter responds to an initial email from Mr Kimber which states that councillors will not be told of the reasons for Mr Bedford’s departure.

It questions why the council is not being “open and frank about our public employees”. The letter goes on: “I was under the impression from the Leader that an independent out-of-town person was leading the enquiries into the matter.

“Has this report been completed and if so, when will it be available for perusal?”

The letter concludes: “By trying to sweep it under the carpet, rumours start to gather pace, so it would be in everyone’s interests for the air to be cleared.”

Coun Gilding told the Yorkshire Post: “It’s disturbing that the council is so ‘cloak and dagger’ about it.

“When nothing is made public as regards the reasons for someone’s departure, the rumour mill starts.

“It would be far better to be quite clear about why Andrew Bedford has left, it’s as simple as that.”

He added: “I would also like to know what costs have been incurred and whether he went with a ‘golden handshake’.”

The initial letter to councillors confirming Mr Bedford’s suspension said the move had been taken to allow a thorough investigation to take place.

The Yorkshire Post has asked the council for details of the investigation, including who had been tasked to carry it out, but the authority declined to comment.

Questions about any pay-off that Mr Bedford may have received met with the same response.

The council did confirm the director’s departure is not linked to “issues of financial probity”.

A spokeswoman said the authority would not provide any information further than a 
short statement from Mr Kimber which said: “I can confirm that the Strategic Director of Resources has now resigned from his post.

“The interim management arrangements that were put in place in November to cover for his absence will continue for the time being.

“We will not be commenting further on this matter.”

The council spokeswoman did later add: “Members were informed of the resignation of the Strategic Director of Resources last week when it was pointed out that resignation is a voluntary act and so reasons do not need to be provided for resigning.”

Mr Bedford’s role will be taken on by Mr Kimber under the interim arrangements.

Mr Stone declined to comment.

Mr Bedford could not be contacted for comment.