The Suffolk Hyde Affair - Doc 52 Beccles Fire Station

General Overview of Events March 1999

1st March
The Secretary of DCFO SA Smith contacts Ff Hyde by telephone to arrange a hearing for the grievance invoked 29th January 1999. Subject to undertakings by the DCFO, Firefighter M. Hyde agrees to a &day variation. No confirmation of the undertakings agreed is received by 1700 hrs, hence repudiated.
Whilst on duty at approx 19.00 hrs at Lowestoft Fire Station Ff M. Hyde and Sub Officer John Tiffen are served Fire Services (Discipline) Regulations 1985 regulation 7 letters. They are notified that they are now the subject of discipline investigations (see Doc 53 & 54).
ACFO K. Seager writes to Ff M. Hyde in reply to the latter’s letter dated the 27th February 1999. ACFO K. Seager states, "So far as I know, I have complied fully with the requirements of Regulation 8 (4) regarding the provision of copies of reports, etc to Mr Wigglesworth in connection with the charges he faces".

5th March
Ff M. Hyde issues breach of contract proceedings against CFO M. Alcock in Lowestoft County Court.

6th March
Ff M. Hyde writes to Mrs Linda Homer with regard to the grievance invoked 29th January 1999. It is requested that the grievance proceed as specified by the contractual rights of Suffolk County Council employees.
SubO A. Wigglesworth writes to DO G. Smith requesting further particulars of the allegations made against Firefighter M Hyde and Sub officer John Tiffen.

8th March
Do G. Smith meets with Sub Officer A Wigglesworth. The former dictates the investigation process he intends to pursue against Firefighter M Hyde and Sub Officer Tiffen. The letter outlining the request for further particulars is handed over to DO G. Smith.

9th March
DCFO S.A.Smith by way of letter written by Secretary Sigi Winters writes to Ff M. Hyde to arrange a date to hear the latter’s grievance.
Sub Officer A. Wigglesworth writes to DO G. Smith to notify him that Firefighter M. Hyde and Sub Officer Tiffen decline the use of audio tape recording in any disciplinary interview.

11th March
Ff M. Hyde writes to Sigi Winters as a reply to the letter 9th March. It is specified that the DCFO has breached the time limits governing the grievance procedure. Ff M. Hyde gives further notification that the grievance should be passed to the next stage.

12th March
DO G. Smith telephones SubO A. Wigglesworth to discuss aspects of his disciplinary investigation of Firefighter M. Hyde and Sub Officer John Tiffen.

15th March
Sub Officer A. Wigglesworth corresponds with DO G. Smith to notify the availability of Firefighter M Hyde and Sub Officer John Tiffen’s for disciplinary interview. A written reply is requested.16th March
Firefighter M Hyde Writes to DCFO SA. Smith to reiterate his demand for the grievance invoked 29th January to proceed to the next stage.

18th March
In response to the breach of contract proceedings issued by firefighter M. Hyde, against CFO M. Alcock, liability is admitted by Suffolk County Council.

19th March
DCFO SA. Smith writes to Firefighter M. Hyde and effectively contends he gave by entering into discussion a mutual undertaking to extend the contracted period for the grievance procedure. It is also claimed that the grievance is now resolved on the admission of liability of Suffolk County Council.

22nd March
Firefighter M. Hyde writes to DCFO SA. Smith. The understanding of the status of the grievance is clarified.