The Suffolk Hyde Affair - Doc 246 Felixstowe Fire Station Open Day

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Lowestoft Fire station
PO Box 54
Lowestoft
NR32 2QA


22nd June 1999


Dear Miss Davies,

Thank you for your letter dated 18th June 1999.

In following up the content may I start by pointing out to you that the letter by ACFO Seager dated 10th May provides confirmation of the acceptance to copy in Mr C Jones. For further clarification on this point I refer you to paragraph two of ACFO Seager’s letter dated 27th April 1999.

‘Whilst I am happy to copy to Mr Jones, I cannot deal’ [with him exclusively]

The offer was gratefully accepted on behalf of Firefighter Hyde, by way of formal letter sent, on 11th May 1999. I apologise if I have misdirected you non this matter.

Moving along to the main issue communicated to you by my letter 15th June 1999. I thank you for identifying the person responsible (ACFO Seager) for the appointment of Mr Jackson. If this is the case it appears there may be a breach of the relevant regulations.

I invite you to reconsider your understanding of the individual regulations 9 (30 and ( (4) which cite in support of Mr Jackson’s attendance. Taking a literal, golden and mischief approach there is absolutely no power to appoint an assessor under the prevailing circumstances. The power within 9 (4) is restricted to cases which fall to be heard by the CFO or by the disciplinary tribunal of the fire authority. Firefighter Hyde’s case is being heard by neither and there is no power to appoint an assessor.

To reiterate my earlier concerns the intent is a serious and alarming departure from the procedures set out in the regulations. For this I can see absolutely no reasonable justification. Having given serious exhaustive consideration as to what the explanation maybe, I can only assume it is directly related to some form of anti-union policy. Firefighter Hyde is, of course, a long-standing FBU official. There is I fear no other plausible explanation. Notwithstanding I will be more than prepared to consider your own explanation.

Finally, may I also remind you that in view of the unusual procedures being adopted we maintain the right to pursue this matter to a higher body. Whilst we may assume you will obstruct the grievance route the dispute mechanism between the authority and the FBU remains a consideration.

I would be extremely pleased if you will give these issues further thought and forward your response as soon as possible. Indeed, given the situations that exist I reasonably believe your failure to respond in detail may invite a negative inference.



Yours faithfully



A Wigglesworth BSc, MBA, G.I.Fire.E.