Free Masons - Directors/ Officer/Employees

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please state whether or not staff

(Directors/Officers, etc)

who are paid from the public purse, by the Tax Payers are:

1) Members of the Free Masons?

2) Required to declare their membership on their declarations of
interest form?

3) Please name all staff who are members of the Free Masons?

4) Any penalty for non-compliance?

Yours faithfully,

S Smith

Dear Dena Smart,

Thank you for confirming Maidstone Borough Council employs 1 member
of staff who is also a member of the Freemasons. It is unfortunate
that Maidstone Borough Council feels the need to hide their
identity from the Public (see below).

‘Part of the information that you have requested has not been
released. The information with regard to the named individuals has
been withheld under subsection 2 of Section 40 of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000. However I can confirm the job title of the
individual concerned - Operational Controller, Community Safety
Unit.’

The Public could rightly view the councils approach as very
selective.

Especially in relation to the Councils recent quote regarding
transparency on 24th March2009 (see below)

Can you please confirm if Maidstone Borough Council has a policy
of being open, honest, transparent and accountable?

”Yes, Maidstone Borough Council has a variety of policies and
processes
in place to ensure that it is open, honest, transparent and
accountable.”

Yours sincerely,

S Smith