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Former boss at Walsall Council is sacked

A former boss at Walsall Council has been sacked, it was revealed today.

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Paul Davies, the former executive director for social care and inclusion, has been dismissed following an investigation after 'issues' were raised in the department.

He had been suspended from his duties with the authority more than a year ago but bosses have remained tight-lipped over the details.

An independent investigation was conducted by law firm Bevan Brittan.

Council leader Mike Bird confirmed today that the findings had since been presented to a board of elected members who found enough evidence to dismiss Mr Davies.

He said it had been alleged that Mr Davies had breached the rules set for a chief officer, but would not reveal the full details of the case.

He said: "They heard the allegations over a period of just short of three weeks and Paul has been dismissed.

"He was suspended for just over a year.

"The circumstances were due to procedures, rules and issues surrounding the chief officer's code of conduct.

"It's disappointing. Paul was an exceptionally good officer. He has a right of appeal. We cannot say any more."

Two other staff members in Walsall Council's adult social care department, whose identities have not been revealed, were also suspended around the same time as Mr Davies. Councillor Bird said it was due to 'similar matters', but would not reveal the details.

He confirmed that at least one of them had now left the authority.

Mr Davies joined the council in spring 2010 after moving from Oldham Council, where he had been assistant executive director for adult social care since 2004.

He was in charge of Walsall's social care and inclusion department when a controversial shake-up of domiciliary care charges was introduced.

Under the new charges, brought in from April 2011, people on disability living allowance and attendance allowance are asked to pay towards the services they receive.

The benefits-based charging system was expected to bring in up to £2 million a year.

He was also in charge of the department during a shake-up of meals on wheels services in which pensioners who received them were encouraged to order food from cafes or attend lunch clubs instead.

The shake up was designed to save £1 million over three years.

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