Leader denies claims of council 'bullying' culture

Allegations that staff are "scared to work" at Warwickshire County Council sparked a heated clash between councillors after leader George Finch rejected claims of bullying.

Green councillor Nicki Scott said officers were reporting weekly concerns about harassment under the Reform UK administration, accusing the leader of creating a culture of fear.

Finch dismissed the allegations as "untrue" and said opposition rhetoric was fuelling a false narrative.

The row followed a solicitor‑led investigation which found Finch had breached the authority's code of conduct, before a panel of councillors overturned the ruling.

The debate began at a meeting of the full council after Scott raised concerns about what she described as a "growing culture of bullying and harassment" under the administration.

Her question came in the wake of a formal complaint made by chief executive Monica Fogarty against the council leader George Finch which led to a solicitor-led investigation and a conduct hearing.

The investigation found Finch had breached the authority's code of conduct, but a three-member standards panel of county councillors later cleared him by a majority of two to one.

Addressing Finch directly, Scott told the meeting that the bullying culture began when the current administration was formed.

She said: "I know that officers at all levels are scared… I have officers contacting me on a weekly basis citing concerns around bullying, harassment and specific and unreasonable attacks on how some officers choose to live their lives.

"Officers are scared to work at Warwickshire County Council.

"It is a basic human need to have psychological safety in the workplace and that does not extend to county council staff at the moment."

She urged the leader to accept that "persistent criticism of council officers" had contributed to "reduced staff morale, increased sickness absence and difficulties in retaining experienced staff", and referenced his previous comments about metaphorically putting "boots on necks" to get things done.

Finch rejected her characterisation and said his exoneration by the panel was not due to any "technicality".

"Again, you got it wrong and I will educate you on the facts," he said.

"You saying what you are saying is causing the problem, unfortunately. Maybe just turn that down a little bit, please."

He insisted staff retention had improved and sickness levels compared favourably with other West Midlands councils, adding: "You cannot keep coming here claiming this stuff… where's your evidence?"

The council's HR figures from the first three months of 2026 suggest employees take an average of 10.44 sick days a year.

At the other county councils in the region, the figure was 11.83 last year in Staffordshire, 9.4 earlier this year at Worcestershire, while at Coventry City Council, a figure of 13.7 was reported last year.

Finch also criticised what he called "lefty media" coverage of complaints against him, saying: "Every single complaint that I have had so far has not been upheld. You've got no evidence."

Scott said his response "demonstrated exactly that behaviour" she had alleged and pledged to continue speaking up for staff who felt "scared, frightened" and unwelcome.

"No one wants to work in an environment where they don't feel safe and protected," she said.

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