Peter Gilroy Chief Executive Officer

Dear Mr Gerrish

Thank you for your email.

I acknowledge your request for information under the Freedom of
Information Act 2000. Assuming we hold this information, I will endeavour
to supply the data to you as soon as possible but no later than 13th July
2009 (20 working days from date of receipt).

I will advise you as soon as possible if we do not hold this information
or if there are exemptions to be considered and/or any costs for providing
the information. Please quote our reference - FOI/09/663 - in any
communication regarding this particular request.

Best regards

Corporate Access to Information Team, Chief Executive's Department
Kent County Council, Legal & Democratic Services, Room 1.94, Sessions
House, County Hall, Maidstone. ME14 1XQ.
Tel: 01622 696265 or 01622 694261 - Fax: 01622 694383
[1]http://www.kent.gov.uk/council-and-democ...

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Dear Mr Gerrish

Thank you for your email.

I acknowledge your request for information under the Freedom of
Information Act 2000. Assuming we hold this information, I will endeavour
to supply the data to you as soon as possible but no later than 13th July
2009 (20 working days from date of receipt).

I will advise you as soon as possible if we do not hold this information
or if there are exemptions to be considered and/or any costs for providing
the information. Please quote our reference - FOI/09/663 - in any
communication regarding this particular request.

Best regards

Corporate Access to Information Team, Chief Executive's Department
Kent County Council, Legal & Democratic Services, Room 1.94, Sessions
House, County Hall, Maidstone. ME14 1XQ.
Tel: 01622 696265 or 01622 694261 - Fax: 01622 694383
[1]http://www.kent.gov.uk/council-and-democ...

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Dear Mr Gerrish

Thank you for your request for information.

You asked eight questions about Kent County Council's Chief Executive,
Peter Gilroy. (questions (c) and (e) appear to be duplicated). The Chief
Executive would like to thank you for the interest you have shown in his
career and has personally provided the following response.

"Thank you for your enquiry which I found interesting. I am assuming that
it is a genuine request and on that basis I am happy to give details of my
career starting in Nursing and then in Social Work. I started in
psychiatric nursing and qualified as a registered mental nurse (RMN)
before going on to study psychiatric social work and gaining my CQSW
(Certificate of Qualification in Social Work). I then went on to do
further training in mental health at the Tavistock Institute and with the
Richmond Fellowship as well as in the Health Service, and undertook
postgraduate training courses both at Exeter and Bristol Universities. As
a practitioner I worked as part of a project closing large psychiatric
hospitals in Devon where we were one of the first areas to develop
alternative housing for former patients. I then applied to join East
Sussex County Council where I managed all the social services (as it was
then defined) for Brighton, Hove and Lewes. Throughout this period, up
until I joined Kent County Council, I retained a small caseload. While I
was there I was asked to be part of the Clunis Inquiry, looking
particularly at the implications for policy. I also initiated an approach
to conferences where 90% of the audience were service users. In Kent as
Director of Operations and then as Strategic Director of Social Services,
I chaired the Kent Child Protection Committee for thirteen years and Kent
Social Services gained the top star rating for its services which it
has maintained. I hope that is helpful in terms of my career....."

Please list all Peter Gilroy's qualifications: (a) including those with
reference to being a psychiatric social worker and previous director of
children's services. Including dates of said qualifications.

Registered Mental Nurse (RMN)
Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW) diploma - 1972
Plus a range of post-qualifying training, particularly in psychiatry

(b) Amount of time employed by Kent County Council and positions held.

April 1991 - Director of Operations - Social Services
March 1998 - Strategic Director, Social Services
March 2005 - Chief Executive
(d) All declarations of interest including whether or not he is a member
of the Freemasons, whilst employed by Kent County Council.

Peter Gilroy has made the following declarations of interest:
Member of:
Institute of Directors
Association of County Chief Executives - USA
Board Member of New Local Government Network

Charities - Kent Fund for Children - Board Member

Peter Gilroy is not, and never has been, a Freemason
(e) Salary received from Kent County Council on a yearly basis from 2000
and any and all previous periods; if employed prior to 2000.Including all
privileges and perks in addition to salaries received.(not inclusive of
private health care /cars etc): dates/costs/invoices.

Total remuneration for the following periods of employment is shown below
within bands of £10,000.
1991/2 £40,000 to £49,999
1992/3 £50,000 to £59,999
1993/4 £50,000 to £59,999
1994/5 £60,000 to £69,999
1995/6 £50,000 to £59,999
1996/7 £60,000 to £69,999
1997/8 £70,000 to £79,999
1998/9 £100,000 to £110,000 (promoted April 1998)
1999/2000 £100,000 to £110,000
2000/1 £100,000 to £110,000
2001/2 £120,000 to £130,000
2002/3 £160,000 to £169,999
2003/4 £130,000 to £139,999
2004/5 £160,000 to £169,999
2005/6 £220,000 to £229,999
2006/7 £230,000 to £239,999
2007/8 £250,000 to £259,999
(f) If he has been on a Common Purpose training course.
Including dates/costs/invoices.
Peter Gilroy has never been on a Common Purpose training course as a
delegate.
(g) If he also teachers or has taught on Common Purpose training courses.
Including dates/costs/invoices.

Peter Gilroy has spoken to delegates on Common Purpose programmes giving
lectures about his role as Chief Executive and his broader experience of
management and innovation. He spoke at events on 15th March 2006 and 15th
May 2007. No charge was ever made by KCC or Peter Gilroy himself for
these talks.
(h) Any and all connections whatsoever if any with the
Conservative Party.(Clearly, very important because Kent County Council is
and has been for many years Conservative led.

None. Peter Gilroy has never been affiliated to any political party at
any time in his career. Nor has he attended a party conference organised
by any political party.
(i) Any and all previous employment with other Local Authorities.

1968 to 1986 Devon County Council
1986 to 1991 East Sussex County Council

If you are unhappy with this response, and believe KCC has not complied
with legislation, please ask for a review by following our complaints
process; details can be found at this link
[1]http://www.kent.gov.uk/council-and-democ...
on our website. Please quote reference FOI/09/633.

If you still remain dissatisfied following an internal review, you can
appeal to the Information Commissioner, who oversees compliance with the
Freedom of Information Act 2000. Details of what you need to do, should
you wish to pursue this course of action, are available from the
Information Commissioner*s website
[2]http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints/freedom...

Best regards

Caroline Dodge
Corporate Access to Information Coordinator, Chief Executive's Department
Kent County Council, Legal & Democratic Services, Room 1.94, Sessions
House, County Hall, Maidstone. ME14 1XQ.
Tel: 01622 221652 - Fax: 01622 694383
[3]http://www.kent.gov.uk/council-and-democ...

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Dear Mr Gerrish

Can you please confirm what it is exactly that you would like us to
review, as our response to your request submitted 15th June for
information about the Chief Executive's qualifications was responded to in
full - we provided you with all the information held by the Council
meeting the scope of your request and supplied this within statutory
timescales. As I am sure you are aware, the purpose of an internal review
under the Freedom of Information Act is to assess whether we complied
with legislation; it is not the mechanism to raise a complaint about the
Council's policies, processes or employees.

Your email of 24th July asking for information not previously requested
(an explanation of possible "conflict of interests") is being dealt with
as a new request, our reference FOI/09/829.

Best regards

Caroline Dodge
Corporate Access to Information Coordinator, Chief Executive's Department
Kent County Council, Legal & Democratic Services, Room 1.94, Sessions
House, County Hall, Maidstone. ME14 1XQ.
Tel: 01622 221652 - Fax: 01622 694383
[1]http://www.kent.gov.uk/council-and-democ...

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Dear Mr Gerrish

You have still not clarified why you do not believe we have not complied
with legislation; you have simply resubmitted your 24th July email again
which I had already explained we were treating as a new request for
information because you have asked for information not previously
requested.

To reiterate, an internal review looks as whether we COMPLIED with
legislation, that is, if exemptions were applied to withhold information,
were these appropriate? Did we really supply all the information held
meeting the scope of your request? Did we reply within 20 working days? As
we didn't withhold any information and we did reply within statutory
timescales, there doesn't actually appear to be any elements of
non-compliance to review and I am afraid not liking the content of
the information you've requested and been provided with is not a reason to
request a review. If you have a complaint about the Chief Executive, you
should contact either the Chief Executive himself or the Local Government
Ombudsman.

With regard to the comments in your 24th July email, I will endeavour to
provide you with a response as soon as possible but no later than 21st
August.

Best regards
Caroline Dodge
Corporate Access to Information Coordinator, Chief Executive's Department
Kent County Council, Legal & Democratic Services, Room 1.94, Sessions
House, County Hall, Maidstone. ME14 1XQ.
Tel: 01622 221652 - Fax: 01622 694383
[1]http://www.kent.gov.uk/council-and-democ...

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Dear Mr Gerrish

Kent County Council will be responding no later than 21st August as I
quoted in my earlier email:

"With regard to the comments in your 24th July email, I will endeavour to
provide you with a response as soon as possible but no later than 21st
August".

No, I have not ever attended a Common Purpose training course in any
capacity or for any purpose. Pre-empting your next question, I'm not a
member of the Freemasons (or whatever the female equivalent is) either.

Best regards

Caroline Dodge
Corporate Access to Information Coordinator, Chief Executive's Department
Kent County Council, Legal & Democratic Services, Room 1.94, Sessions
House, County Hall, Maidstone. ME14 1XQ.
Tel: 01622 221652 - Fax: 01622 694383
[1]http://www.kent.gov.uk/council-and-democ...

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Dear Mr Gerrish

Thank you for your request for information.

To answer your first point, I would like to reiterate what I have already
explained in a previous email to you (on 11th August) in response to a
very similar request that you submitted
[1]http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/co...,
that is there is no conflict of interests and the Chief Executive has no
political leanings. To quote from my previous email:-

"As well as advise Lord Laming that he was "intending to write a piece for
the Conservative Shadow Government", Kent County Council's Chief
Executive, Mr Gilroy did in fact correspond with the Rt. Hon Ed Balls, the
Secretary of State, on the same subject at around the same time.
This clearly indicates that there is no conflict of interests, and that Mr
Gilroy has no political leanings. Mr Gilroy was simply offering not
only his considerable expertise in the field of Children's Social
Services but also his assistance to BOTH of the major political parties at
what was a very difficult time."

With regard to your second point concerning the two Common Purpose events
Mr Gilroy attended, he was asked to speak about the role of a Chief
Executive. While this would be a perfectly legitimate activity for a
Chief Executive to undertake, it happens that the first talk (March 2006)
was after office hours at the end of the day and the second (May 2007) was
during a lunch hour. He was not paid for either talk.

I would like to forewarn you that any further correspondence on this
subject will be considered vexatious.

If you are unhappy with this response, and believe KCC has not complied
with legislation, please ask for a review by following our complaints
process; details can be found at this link
[2]http://www.kent.gov.uk/council-and-democ...
on our website. Please quote reference FOI/09/829.

If you still remain dissatisfied following an internal review, you can
appeal to the Information Commissioner, who oversees compliance with the
Freedom of Information Act 2000. Details of what you need to do, should
you wish to pursue this course of action, are available from the
Information Commissioner*s website
[3]http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints/freedom...

Best regards

Caroline Dodge
Corporate Access to Information Coordinator, Chief Executive's Department
Kent County Council, Legal & Democratic Services, Room 1.94, Sessions
House, County Hall, Maidstone. ME14 1XQ.
Tel: 01622 221652 - Fax: 01622 694383
[4]http://www.kent.gov.uk/council-and-democ...

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Dear Mr Gerrish

Thank you for your email

On your first point, if you disagree with Kent County Council's
interpretation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, then you should
complain to the Information Commissioner
[1]http://www.ico.gov.uk/complaints/freedom...

On your second point, if you read the reply sent to you on 7th July, you
will see that we stated against (f) that "Peter Gilroy has never been on a
Common Purpose training course as a delegate". I am not too sure how we
could make this statement more straightforward.

Best regards

Caroline Dodge
Corporate Access to Information Coordinator, Chief Executive's Department
Kent County Council, Legal & Democratic Services, Room 1.94, Sessions
House, County Hall, Maidstone. ME14 1XQ.
Tel: 01622 221652 - Fax: 01622 694383
[2]http://www.kent.gov.uk/council-and-democ...

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NO

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Dear Mr Gerrish

One of your questions about Peter Gilroy was (f) If he has been on a
Common Purpose training course. Including dates/costs/invoices.

Our reply was "Peter Gilroy has never been on a Common Purpose training
course as a delegate"

So, NO Peter Gilroy has never been on a Common Purpose training course as
a delegate.

I hope this concludes your request.

Best regards

Caroline Dodge
Corporate Access to Information Coordinator, Chief Executive's Department
Kent County Council, Legal & Democratic Services, Room 1.94, Sessions
House, County Hall, Maidstone. ME14 1XQ.
Tel: 01622 221652 - Fax: 01622 694383
[1]http://www.kent.gov.uk/council-and-democ...

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Dear Mr Gerrish

You actually asked two questions on 15th June about Peter Gilroy's
attendance at Common Purpose training courses:-

(f) If he has been on a Common Purpose training course. Including
dates/costs/invoices.

Our answer on 7th July was Peter Gilroy has never been on a Common Purpose
training course as a delegate.

AND

(g) If he also teachers (sic) or has taught on Common Purpose training
courses. Including dates/costs/invoices.

Our answer on 7th July was Peter Gilroy has spoken to delegates on Common
Purpose programmes giving lectures about his role as Chief Executive and
his broader experience of management and innovation. He spoke at events on
15th March 2006 and 15th May 2007. No charge was ever made by KCC or Peter
Gilroy himself for these talks.

So the simple answer to your question is NO, Peter Gilroy has never been
on a Common Purpose training course.

(Although he has been a guest speaker at two Common Purpose events).

I hope this concludes your request.

Best regards

Caroline Dodge
Corporate Access to Information Coordinator, Chief Executive's Department
Kent County Council, Legal & Democratic Services, Room 1.94, Sessions
House, County Hall, Maidstone. ME14 1XQ.
Tel: 01622 221652 - Fax: 01622 694383
[1]http://www.kent.gov.uk/council-and-democ...

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