Information forwarded to the Press on 25th March 2025.
What are Your Views on this Matter Councillors ?
Flintshire County Council have Blocked Councillors Elected by the Ratepayers of Flintshire from Receiving My Emails. I am Dependant on Flintshire People’s Voice to Forward this Information to Yourselves. Unless However Flintshire County Council prevent Flintshire People’s Voice from doing so.
Attention
Failure by Neil Cockerton To Answer Complaint dating back to 2021 - Mark Tami MP Jack Sargeant MS Ian Roberts Council Leader July 2022 and the Present Council Leader Dave Hughes DO NOT Believe that Flintshire County Council Officers should be Accountable to the Ratepayers of Flintshire.
The extraordinary Lengths that Flintshire County Council will embark upon in order to Refuse to Answer a Complaint from a Ratepayer.
Email Received from Rebecca Jones dated 21st January 2025
Quote
Further to my email dated 20 November 2024 and your persistent emails to officers, elected members and media outlets, I am writing to remind you that your emails are being filed and will not be acted upon. To avoid further unnecessary emails to officers and elected members, controls will now be put in place to redirect emails to Customer Services for filing.
Unquote
This email from Rebecca Jones epitomises the Sheer Contempt that Flintshire County Council Officers have towards the Ratepayers of Flintshire who Fund their Salaries and Provide their Employment.
Flintshire County Council Officers from and including Neil Cockerton downwards have continually Refused to answer My Complaint regarding the Atrocious Services provided by Derrick Charlton, Neil Cockerton Himself, The Complaints Department so called Customer Services and the Historical Failures by Staff Employed by the Authority.
This Culture that presently exists within Flintshire County Council is rotten to the core and is Failing the Ratepayers of Flintshire on a Daily Basis under the Direction of Neil Cockerton Chief Executive.
This is not a New situation but a Culture that has existed for the Past Fifty Years according to My Conversations with the then Member of Parliament Barry Jones MP back in 1999.
However Barry Jones MP fought until I received an Apology from Flintshire County Council at that time.
However the Present Elected Members including Mark Tami MP, Jack Sargeant MS, Ian Roberts Council Leader in July 2022 and the Present Council Leader Dave Hughes DO NOT Believe that Flintshire County Council Officers should be Accountable to the Ratepayers of Flintshire and that this present Despicable Ethos that currently exists throughout the Authority should not be challenged by these Individuals.
The Question that needs to addressed is are these Numerous Designated Representatives there to Serve the People of Flintshire who Fund their Salaries through several forms of Direct and Indirect Taxation or are these Various Members in place to simply Advance their Own Political Careers to the detriment of the Ratepayers of Flintshire?
The above Elected Officials Do Not Believe that Officers Employed by Flintshire County Council should ever be challenged under any Circumstances as demonstrated in this Matter over the Past Three Years and Three Months. Consequently the Atrocious Services provided by Flintshire County Council will NEVER Improve while these Elected Members Remain in Office. The Unaccountable Chief Executive will Remain Unopposed on a Daily basis until there is a significant improvement in the Calibre of the Currently Nominated Members.
The People of Flintshire Desperately require Elected Representatives who will Fight for their Interests not Little Lap Dogs controlled by the Current Chief Executive of Flintshire County Council which is the case at present.
This Matter will be continually Circulated in the Public Domain to exemplify how the Ratepayers of Flintshire are currently being Failed by these Copious Representatives.
Should Council Leader Dave Hughes Resign over His Deliberate Failure to Represent the Ratepayers of Flintshire ? This Issue Must be Kept in the Public Domain as a matter of Mammoth Significance to the Ratepayers of Flintshire
I have now received a response from Dave Hughes Council Leader Dated 6th January 2025 stating He is Refusing to Answer any Aspect of My Complaint set out in My previous Emails addressed to Dave Hughes. It now appears the Legal Department are not taking any action in this matter which is not surprising as the issue relates Solely to the Unsatisfactory Services provided by Flintshire County Council involving Derrick Charlton, Neil Cockerton, Complaints Department, Historical Failures by Staff Employed by Flintshire County Council.
Quote from Previous Correspondence
It appears to Myself that Flintshire County Council is suffering from some form of Bureaucratic Paralysis in that it is unable to answer a Complaint from a Ratepayer without involving the Legal Department how astonishing.
Unquote
Why did Dave Hughes Council Leader involve the Legal Department at first instance ????? it makes no sense whatsoever was this an attempt to intimate Myself ???? who knows.
Dave Hughes in his Position as Leader of the Council is there to Represent the Ratepayers of Flintshire who Fund His £63K Allowances.
Dave Hughes in Failing to Represent the Ratepayers of Flintshire in this instance cannot be regarded as a Suitable Person to hold the Position of Council Leader on £63K Allowances each Year and should resign immediately and handover the Position to someone who will fight for the Ratepayers of Flintshire and hold Officers Employed by Flintshire County Council to Account where applicable.
Quote from My previous Email dated 16th December to Dave Hughes Council Leader
Your Role is to Represent the Ratepayers of Flintshire is that accurate or am I missing something here?
This Role demands that Officers Employed by the Authority are held to Account by Yourself where applicable is that also correct Mr Hughes?
Mr Hughes My Outstanding Complaint against Flintshire County Council which now extents to THREE YEARS ONE MONTH and SIXTEEN DAYS could be brought to a satisfactory conclusion in ONE DAY if You Yourself as someone Representing the Ratepayers of Flintshire and regarded as an Independent Third Party Answers the Four Aspects of My Complaint in FULL and Offers a FULL Apology for the Atrocious Way in which My Complaint has been dealt with by Flintshire County Council through this Protracted Period of Time.
The Question is are You as Council Leader Mr Hughes prepared to undertake this Task? The ultimate solution rests with Yourself Mr Hughes but Not by involving the Legal Department. The Ball in Firmly in Your Court Mr Hughes in Your Capacity as Leader of the Flintshire County Council to finally resolve this Outstanding Matter.
Unquote
A Response was received from Flintshire County Council on 23rd August 2022 some NINE MONTHS after I first Contacted Neil Cockerton on 1st November 2021.
The Response from a certain David Barnes was absolutely Worthless and Deliberately FAILED to address any of the FOUR Aspects of My Complaint.
Quote from previous Correspondence Supplied to Dave Hughes Council Leader
The Response I received from David Barnes dated 25th October 2024 stated the Council consider the matter Closed and will not respond to any future correspondence from Myself.
David Barnes further Instructed Myself stating that My Claim that Neal Cockerton failed to Respond to Myself is wholly inaccurate and I Must Stop making False Statements.
The Details of My Complaint cover Fours Attributes.
1). Derrick Charlton the Officer involved at first instance was required to Contact Myself within a 24/48 Hour period following My request for Urgent assistance. Derrick Charlton Failed to contact Myself for Two Months and then only did so following an Email addressed to Neal Cockerton on 1st November 2021 in which I stated that Legal Action would commence against Flintshire County Council. After FIVE Months Derrick Charlton had still Not attended to this Urgent Matter and stated it would be a further Three Months at the earliest before this position would be resolved.
NOTE Dave Hughes Council Leader believes this is an Acceptable Standard of Service provided by Flintshire County Council to the Ratepayers of Flintshire.
Has David Barnes or Neal Cockerton addressed these Failures by Derrick Charlton in My Complaint raised against this Officer ? The Answer is NO. Have I made a False Statement as stated by David Barnes ? No False Statement has been made this Declaration is True and Accurate.
2). The Total Failure of the Complaints Department at Flintshire County Council to hold this Officer to Account. The Department should have instructed Derrek Charlton to contact Myself without delay, but instead both colluded with and protected this Officer from Scrutiny. The Complaints Department were Not interested in dealing with the issue of the Ratepayer, but merely protecting the Officer concerned.
I stated that this Department was a complete waste of Ratepayers Resources and should be disbanded with immediate effect as it was Not serving any useful function.
NOTE Dave Hughes Council Leader believes this is an Acceptable Standard of Service provided by Flintshire County Council to the Ratepayers of Flintshire.
Has David Barnes or Neal Cockerton addressed the Failures by this Department in My Complaint raised against this Function ? The Answer is NO. Have I made a False Statement as stated by David Barnes ? No False Statement has been made this Declaration is True and Accurate.
3). The Third aspect relates to Neal Cockerton Himself and His refusal to answer the details of My Complaint raised with Neal Cockerton in My Email of 22nd August 2022.
Extracts of Email Dated 22/08/2022
Attention Neal Cockerton
I sent an email addressed to yourself dated 1st November 2021.
I sent a further email via the office of Jack Sargeant MS on 2nd
February 2022 forwarded to yourself.
Jack Sergeant wrote directly to yourself on 31st January 2022.
I discussed this position in detail with the Council Tax Department on
21st June 2022.
Ian Roberts forwarded an email from Myself dated 25th July 2022 directly
to yourself.
So far there has been NO response from yourself which is absolutely
appalling conduct.
Find enclosed below a further email for your urgent attention sent to
Ian Roberts on 6th August.
In September it will be TEN Months since I sent My first Correspondence
addressed to yourself and still NO reply.
When will these matters be finally addressed by yourself?
NOTE Dave Hughes Council Leader believes this is an Acceptable Standard of Service provided by Flintshire County Council to the Ratepayers of Flintshire.
Has David Barnes or Neal Cockerton addressed the Failures by Neal Cockerton in My Complaint raised against Neal Cockerton Himself ? The Answer is NO. Have I made a False Statement as stated by David Barnes ? No False Statement has been made this Declaration is True and Accurate.
4). The Historical Failures by Flintshire County Council leading up to the issue of the Complaint dating back to 2009.
Quote from Emails enclosed below.
However the area of MY Land that borders the public footpath needs to be fenced off with Notices clearly stating that this is Private Land. Members of the Public are unclear on this point due DIRECTLY to the erroneousness activities carried out by FCC Staff in allowing Hedges owned by Myself to be permanently damaged. Roots to the Hedges have been Illegally removed by FCC Staff and a Stile Illegally located on My Land without any consultation with Myself.
I belief the correct term to be used should have been Kissing Gate not Stile which occupied a considerable section of My Land of which numerous images are available.
NOTE Dave Hughes Council Leader believes this is an Acceptable Standard of Service provided by Flintshire County Council to the Ratepayers of Flintshire.
Has David Barnes or Neal Cockerton addressed the Historical Failures by Flintshire County Council Staff over a Number of Years Resulting in the Issue that occurred on 19th September 2021? The Answer is NO. Have I made a False Statement as stated by David Barnes ? No False Statement has been made this Declaration is True and Accurate.
Those are the Four Characteristics of My Complaint and None of these Elements have ever been addressed by any Party Representing Flintshire County Council.
This Declaration is True and Accurate and No False Statements have been made on My Part in this Matter.
NOTE Dave Hughes Council Leader believes this is an Acceptable Standard of Service provided by Flintshire County Council to the Ratepayers of Flintshire.
I quote from My Email dated 20th October 2024 to Mark Tami MP
Can I point out Mr Tami that had Derek Charlton the Officer concerned contacted Myself on 21st September 2021 as He was required to do so and carried out the necessary work rectifying past erroneous activities undertaken by Flintshire County Council Employees that would have concluded the matters.
I would NOT have needed to contact the Complaints Department, Neal Cockerton, Derrek Charlton regarding His Failures, Martin White, Ian Roberts, Jack Sargeant, Council Tax Department, David Barnes, Mark Tami, the Magistrates Court for advice, Thousands of Posts on Twitter (X) over the Past Two Years.
None of these actions would have been necessary had Derrek Chartlon complied with His obligations at first instance rather than being compelled to do so over a Period of Five Months.
I require Yourself Mark Tami MP to ensure that My Complaint is dealt with in FULL By Neil Cockerton and I mean a Full and Comprehensive Response I most certainly do not want a similar totally unsatisfactory Reply as that provided by David Barnes is that clear Mr Tami.
Unquote
The above information has been presented to Dave Hughes Council Leader on copious occasions. However Dave Hughes Council Leader has completely ignored the Four Aspects of My Complaint against the above Parties and instead has decided that the Worthless and Totally Irrelevant Response Received from David Barnes is acceptable to the Ratepayers who Fund the Allowance of Dave Hughes Council Leader his Capacity of Representing the Ratepayers of Flintshire.
Enclosed are the Responses received from this David Barnes who works in Revenues and Procurement.
Quote from Earlier Correspondence
On 22nd August 2022 I forwarded this Email directly to Neal Cockerton but once again I have NOT received a Response from Neal Cockerton.
Following the issues regarding My Council Tax a certain David Barnes contacted Myself who I understand is employed in the Council Tax Department I may be wrong as this Person did not provide a Job Title or Department. I received a Response which Totally Failed to deal with any of the issues raised in My Complaint. Why did this David Barnes Respond Anyway? Who is He? Why did He not provide a Job Title ? This clearly was NOT His area of expertise. What had My Complaint in any way to do with this David Barnes whoever He is ?
Hypothetically if the secondary issue had revolved around the Public Toilet Facilities in Buckley or Patrol Crossings for Children would Neal Cockerton have delegated this task to the Lavatory Attendant or the Local Lollipop Lady ?
This is appalling conduct from Flintshire County Council but not unexpected.
Unquote
NOTE Dave Hughes Council Leader believes this is an Acceptable Standard of Service provided by Flintshire County Council to the Ratepayers of Flintshire.
The Irrelevant and Worthless Response received from David Barnes
Dear
The Chief Executive, Neal Cockerton, has referred your email to me. I also believe you had concerns about the positioning of a stile/kissing gate near to your property.
In respect of the Public Right of Way, the Council recognises that initially a kissing gate was inaccurately positioned, however Mr Woodall the Service Manager responsible for the Access and Natural Environment Service, has recently confirmed that the Rights of Way Team have relocated the gate and there are currently no outstanding issues pertaining to this footpath.
Although we believe these matters have been resolved, if you believe there are still outstanding issues with the positioning of the kissing gate please can you confirm what those issues are and contact colleagues in the Rights of Way Team who will consider any further concerns that you may have.
David Barnes
18th October 2022
Dear
Thank you for your follow-on email on 17th October in response to our email dated 23rd August.
In addressing these matters and as part of our response on 23rd August, we confirmed that:
“Although we believe these matters have been resolved, if you believe there are still outstanding issues with the positioning of the kissing gate please can you confirm what those issues are and contact colleagues in the Rights of Way Team who will consider any further concerns that you may have”.
Unquote
Dave Hughes Council Leader is now stating in his correspondence of 6th January 2025 that this is an Acceptable Standard of Response from Flintshire County Council which FAILED to Address any of the Aspects of My Complaint.
From: Dave Hughes [mailto:Dave.Hughes@flintshire.gov.uk]
Sent: 06 January 2025 17:13
To: susan.perry@newsquest.co.uk; News@Deeside.com; 'email'; owen.hughes@reachplc.com; dtletters@telegraph.co.uk; Guardian.readers@theguardian.com; owen.jones@gmail.com
Cc: Neal Cockerton (Chief Executive, Flintshire County Council); tamim@parliament.uk; David Barnes; Rebecca Jones (Gov); jack.sargeant@senedd.wales; Ian B Roberts; Karen Powell; Derrick Charlton
Subject: Failure by Neil Cockerton To Answer My Complaint dating back to 2021
Dear
Happy New Year I responded to you on the 10th December 2024 I have been told this has been debated with you and you have been given the answer it may not what you want to hear but that is the answer.
If you have any other problem I am happy to look into it but as far as all previous emails regarding your complaint about Neal Cockerton I will not be replying to you
Regards Dave Hughes
Dave Hughes Council Leader is Refusing to Address any of the Four Aspects of My Complaint, but instead is relying on the Worthless and Irrelevant Response from this David Barnes which again Totally Failed to deal with any Element of My Complaint raised against Flintshire County Council Officers.
If Dave Hughes Council Leader cannot hold Officers Employed by Flintshire County Council to Account where appropriate then Dave Hughes as Council Leader is FAILING the Ratepayers of Flintshire and contribute to His Substantial Remuneration Allowance of £63k.
If Dave Hughes Council Leader is solely interested in protecting Officers Employed by Flintshire County Council from Scrutiny including the Chief Executive Neal Cockerton then Dave Hughes Council Leader is FAILING the Ratepayers of Flintshire and should Resign immediately and handover the position to someone who will fight for the Ratepayers of Flintshire and hold Officers to Account where applicable.
While Dave Hughes Council Leader remains in Office the Services provided by Flintshire County Council will NEVER improve while Officers Employed by Flintshire County Council Treat the Ratepayers who Fund this Authority with Sheer Contempt and are protected from scrutiny by Dave Hughes as Leader of the Council.
Dave Hughes as Council Leader does NOT believe that any Officers Employed by Flintshire County Council should ever be held to Account which is an absolutely appalling situation which can only be Remedied with the Resignation of Dave Hughes as Council Leader.
Information provided to Ian Roberts the then Council Leader in July 2022
I am also hoping to obtain Press Coverage regarding this position in which I will be highlighting that Flintshire County Council are providing a service that is Not Fit for Purpose and are treating Ratepayers who fund this Service with sheer contempt. Whether this service is provided by the Chief Executive or the Complaints Department or the Council Tax Department or indeed the Service Department involved in this particular incident. All Departments involved Mr Roberts have provided a truly horrendous standard of service and as stated previously are merely treating Ratepayers who fund this Service and Pay their Salaries with sheer contempt.
Could You also please enquire from Neal Cockerton as to why this Person has failed to respond to previous Emails from Myself addressed to this Person dated 1st November 2021 and 2nd February 2022 and a Letter from Jack Sargeant the elected member of the Senedd for this area dated 31st January 2022. Could you also please raise with Neal Cockerton as to why this person Not has responded to My concerns raised in the recorded Telephone Conversation with the Council Tax Department on 21st June 2022.
I have enclosed the Email sent on 1st November 2021 further referencing confirmation of receipt of this Email from Flintshire County Council on that date, Email dated 2nd February 2022 together with a further Email addressed to Derrick Charlton the Officer involved in this occurrence dated 28th January 2022. I have further enclosed an Email dated 31st January 2022 addressed to Martin White from the Office of Jack Sargeant Email sent Sent: 31 January 2022 13:01. I further require that Neal Cockerton answers all aspects raised in this Email as well as answering the correspondence listed above. Since the compilation of this Email dated 31st January 2022 the Met Office have stated there have been an additional Five Severe Storms to hit North Wales a point of relevance to be considered in relation to this Email enclosed below.
I have been waiting for a response from the Chief Executive of Flintshire County Council Neal Cockerton to my email addressed directly to this person dated 1st November 2021 to which NO REPLY has been Received to date. This Document is enclosed below.
Jack Sargeant MS wrote a detailed letter to the Chief Executive dated 31st January 2022 but has NOT Received any Reply.
I sent a Detailed Email on 2nd February 2022 to Jack Sargeant to be forwarded in its entirety to Neal Cockerton but once more I have not received any Response. This Document is enclosed below.
I contacted the Council Tax Department by Phone on 21st June 2022 providing extensive details and stating that I will NOT be paying any Council Tax until Neal Cockerton provides a detailed response answering All Aspects raised in My Emails of 1st November 2021 and 2nd February 2022 together with providing an explanation to the elected Member of the Senedd who wrote to this person directly on 31st January 2022. Neal Cockerton has Not Responded to the aspects I raised during this Recorded Telephone Conversation.
List of Dates of Communications regarding this Incident TWENTY ONE IN TOTAL TWENTY ONE ?
Contacted Flintshire County Council 20th September 2021 Time Consuming Detailed Telephone Conversation
Contacted Flintshire County Council 27th September 2021 Time Consuming Detailed Telephone Conversation
Contacted Flintshire County Council 4th October 2021 Time Consuming Detailed Telephone Conversation
Contacted Jack Sargeant MS 13th October 2021 via Twitter
Contacted Jack Sargeant MS 14th October 2021 by Email
Contacted Flintshire County Council 18th October 2021 by Email
Contacted Flintshire County Council 20th October 2021 by Email
Contacted Flintshire County Council 1st November 2021 by Email
Contacted Flintshire County Council 14th November 2021 TWICE BY PHONE
Contacted Flintshire County Council 16th November 2021 by Email
Contacted Flintshire County Council 24th January 2022 by Email
Contacted Jack Sargeant MS 28th January 2022 TWICE by Phone and by Email
Contacted Flintshire County Council 28th January 2022 Copy to Jack Sargeant MS by Email
Jack Sargeant MS wrote to Chief Executive Flintshire County Council 31st January 2022 to which I responded to Jack Sargeant MS by Email
Contacted Jack Sargeant 2nd February 2022 by Email
Contacted Jack Sargeant MS 28th February 2022 by Email requiring if Neal Cockerton had responded. No Reply received.
Contacted Jack Sargeant MS 22nd March 2022 by Email requiring if Neal Cockerton had responded. No Reply received.
Contacted Jack Sargeant MS 7th April 2022 by Email requiring if Neal Cockerton had responded. No Reply received.
Contacted Flintshire County Council Council Tax Department 21st June 2022 by Telephone which was Recorded. Phone Call Terminated by Council Tax Department. Council Tax Department attempted to prevent by Myself from raising the concerning issues by continually interrupting while I was speaking and finally terminating My Telephone Call.
NOTE I require Neal Cockerton to answer why this person has Not responded to these Concerns raised in this Telephone Call which was Recorded by Flintshire County Council.
I require this Recording to be made available to Myself for the hearing in the Magistrates Court.
Contacted Leader of Flintshire County Council 25th July 2022
When I first contacted Flintshire County Council on 20th September 2021 I was promised a response with 24 to 48 Hours to My URGENT Request for Assistance the Officer concerned Derrick Charlton did NOT contact Myself until 14th November 2021. This Officer only contacted Myself after that period of time following My Email of 1st November 2021 where I stated I would be taking Legal Action against Flintshire County Council commencing on 15th November 2021. The Complaints Department totally failed to make this Officer Accountable to Myself but instead deliberately embarked on a process of protecting this Officer from scrutiny for almost TWO MONTHS.
Earlier Correspondence Supplied to the Press
Still No Response from Dave Hughes Council Leader to Email sent 16th December 2024
It is now THREE YEARS TWO MONTHS and SIX DAYS since I first contacted Neil Cockerton regarding this OUTSTANDING matter.
Sent: 16 December 2024 12:14
To: 'Dave Hughes'
Cc: 'chief.executive@flintshire.gov.uk'; 'Rebecca Jones (Gov)'; 'ian.b.roberts@flintshire.gov.uk'; 'jack.sargeant@senedd.wales'; 'tamim@parliament.uk'; 'David Barnes'; 'Derrick Charlton'; 'karen.powell@flintshire.gov.uk'
Subject: Failure by Neil Cockerton To Answer My Complaint dating back to 2021
Importance: High
Attention Dave Hughes
I have Not received any Response to My previous Email addressed to Yourself dated 11th December 2024 enclosed below.
In this Email I Stated Quote
It appears to Myself that Flintshire County Council is suffering from some form of Bureaucratic Paralysis in that it is unable to answer a Complaint from a Ratepayer without involving the Legal Department how astonishing.
Mr Hughes it is now THREE YEARS ONE MONTH and SIXTEEN DAYS since I first contacted Neil Cockerton regarding this OUTSTANDING matter.
Whilst I welcome Your intervention in this dispute I Fail to comprehend why this subject is being referred to the Legal Department?
Is this Yet one more attempt by Flintshire County Council to avoid answering My Outstanding Complaint? and desperately attempting to kick the Problem into the Long Grass with Legal Waffle?
The Four Aspects of My Complaint relate to the Unsatisfactory Service provided by Flintshire County Council involving Derrick Charlton, The Complaints Department, Neil Cockerton and the Historic Failures by Staff Employed by Flintshire County Council.
Mr Hughes these are not Legal Matters this is a Complaint regarding the Unsatisfactory Service provided by the above Parties to Myself as Ratepayer who contributes to the running of these various functions.
It is quite apparent that Flintshire County Council has been intentionally obstructing this process since November 2021 and I firmly believe that involving the Legal Department is consciously designed to continue this rebuttal in Dealing with the Aspects of My Complaint.
The Complaints Department will always FAIL in its objective while Flintshire County Council Staff investigate other Flintshire County Council Staff. If any investigation ever takes place at all which is very doubtful.
The Complaints Department so called “Customer Services” serves no purpose whatsoever except to obstruct the Ratepayers who unfortunately Fund this debacle.
Quote
2). The Total Failure of the Complaints Department at Flintshire County Council to hold this Officer to Account. The Department should have instructed Derrek Charlton to contact Myself without delay, but instead both colluded with and protected this Officer from Scrutiny. The Complaints Department were Not interested in dealing with the issue of the Ratepayer, but merely protecting the Officer concerned.
I stated that this Department was a complete waste of Ratepayers Resources and should be disbanded with immediate effect as it was Not serving any useful function.
Un Quote
This same Department also Blocked Myself from Posting Aspects of My Complaint on the Authority Twitter Account (X) not Once but TWICE.
Mr Hughes what are the Total Costs of this Department to the Ratepayers of Flintshire? This information should be readily available to Yourself as Council Leader.
The Question is Who is going to investigate the Failures of Neil Cockerton for Example ? The answer is No One ever will with One Exception Neil Cockerton Himself.
I addressed My Emails of 1st November 2021, 2nd February 2022, 25th July 2022 and 22nd August 2022 Directly to Neil Cockerton. Jack Sargeant MS wrote to Neil Cockerton on 31st January 2022, However Neil Cockerton has FAILED to Respond to any of these correspondence directly and ANSWER the Four Outstanding Aspects of My Complaint. That conduct is absolutely despicable behaviour on the part of the Chief Executive.
The only way that this Complaint will be successfully dealt with against Flintshire County Council is if this Complaint is dealt with by an external Third Party completely independent of the Authority. Involving the Legal Department will NOT provide any solution of that I am very sure.
Mr Hughes You decided to become an Elected Councillor to Represent the Ratepayers of Flintshire and Your position has now been elevated to that of Leader of The Council on a very substantial Income of £63K according to My research.
Your Role is to Represent the Ratepayers of Flintshire is that accurate or am I missing something here?
This Role demands that Officers Employed by the Authority are held to Account by Yourself where applicable is that also correct Mr Hughes?
Mr Hughes My Outstanding Complaint against Flintshire County Council which now extents to THREE YEARS ONE MONTH and SIXTEEN DAYS could be brought to a satisfactory conclusion in ONE DAY if You Yourself as someone Representing the Ratepayers of Flintshire and regarded as an Independent Third Party Answers the Four Aspects of My Complaint in FULL and Offers a FULL Apology for the Atrocious Way in which My Complaint has been dealt with by Flintshire County Council through this Protracted Period of Time.
The Question is are You as Council Leader Mr Hughes prepared to undertake this Task? The ultimate solution rests with Yourself Mr Hughes but Not by involving the Legal Department. The Ball in Firmly in Your Court Mr Hughes in Your Capacity as Leader of the Flintshire County Council to finally resolve this Outstanding Matter.
Regards
On 10th December 2024 I finally received a response from Dave Hughes Council Leader. Dave Hughes Himself Failed to address any of the Outstanding Aspects of My Complaint. WHY?
This Person receives substantial allowances of approximately £63K a year according to My online search.
Surely Dave Hughes must have an Opinion on these Matters so why is this not Stated?
However Dave Hughes in His Capacity as Leader of the Council has handed the matter over to the Legal Department. WHY?
In order to receive a definitive response to a Complaint does this mean All Complaints against Flintshire County Council have to be referred to the Legal Department? If so WHY?
Is the Complaints Department at Flintshire County Council so incompetent they themselves cannot answer Complaints effectively ?
From My own personal experience I would state that this is definitely the Case.
Quote
Section 2 of My Complaint against Flintshire County Council
2). The Total Failure of the Complaints Department at Flintshire County Council to hold this Officer to Account. The Department should have instructed Derrek Charlton to contact Myself without delay, but instead both colluded with and protected this Officer from Scrutiny. The Complaints Department were Not interested in dealing with the issue of the Ratepayer, but merely protecting the Officer concerned.
I stated that this Department was a complete waste of Ratepayers Resources and should be disbanded with immediate effect as it was Not serving any useful function.
Has David Barnes or Neal Cockerton addressed the Failures by this Department in My Complaint raised against this Function ? The Answer is NO. Have I made a False Statement as stated by David Barnes ? No False Statement has been made this Declaration is True and Accurate.
Unquote
Email received from Dave Hughes Council Leader
From: Karen Powell [mailto:karen.powell@flintshire.gov.uk] On Behalf Of Dave Hughes
Sent: 10 December 2024 16:25
To:
Subject: RE: Failure by Neil Cockerton To Answer My Complaint dating back to 2021
Dear Mr
Apologies that I have not been in touch following your e-mail exchanges, I have asked our Legal department to look into the issues and concerns raised and respond back in due course.
Kind Regards,
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Arweinydd y Cyngor | Leader of the Council
Attention Mr Hughes
Thank you for your response hopefully I will receive a definitive answer as to the position held by Flintshire County Council albeit after THREE Years that is absolutely atrocious conduct would you not agree Mr Hughes ?
Your predecessor Ian Roberts was asked to establish this position in July 2022 but refused to do so.
Mark Tami MP Failed to raise these matters with Neal Cockerton directly for over TWO YEARS and instead of representing the Ratepayer and Constituent Mark Tami Blocked Myself from posting these aspects on His Twitter (X) Account how appalling.
Jack Sargeant MS wrote to Neal Cockerton in January 2022 but did Not receive any response from Neal Cockerton how absolutely abysmal, this Person would not even respond to an Elected Representative for Alyn and Deeside.
Mr Hughes can I be very clear I do not want another totally worthless response from Flintshire County Council such as Two received from David Barnes. Why was this
David Barnes asked to respond anyway ????????????? He works in Revenues and Procurement ???? and Failed to address any of the Issues regarding My Outstanding Complaint.
It appears to Myself that Flintshire County Council is suffering from some form of Bureaucratic Paralysis in that it is unable to answer a Complaint from a Ratepayer without involving the Legal Department how astonishing.
Why did Rebecca Jones Fail to answer these aspects of My Complaint in FULL? This would appear to be Her area of expertise.
As the Leader of the Council Mr Hughes I am very surprised that you are unable to determine your OWN position without taking Legal Advice, I find that absolutely incredible.
However Mr Hughes after THREE YEARS, THREE WHOLE YEARS I must thank you for progressing this matter on My Behalf.
So far Mark Tami, Jack Sargeant, Neal Cockerton, Ian Roberts, David Barnes and Rebecca Jones have ALL FAILED to do so.
I must admit Mr Hughes I am very sceptical as to whether You Yourself can bring a satisfactory conclusion to these Outstanding Issues, but I will welcome any such Response whatever the Outcome maybe favourable or otherwise. I have included Derrick Charlton in the Circulation the Officer who originally Failed to Respond to a request for URGENT assistance in 20th September 2021.
Quote
Derrick Charlton the Officer involved at first instance was required to Contact Myself within a 24/48 Hour period following My request for Urgent assistance. Derrick Charlton Failed to contact Myself for Two Months and then only did so following an Email addressed to Neal Cockerton on 1st November 2021 in which I stated that Legal Action would commence against Flintshire County Council. After FIVE Months Derrick Charlton had still Not attended to this Urgent Matter and stated it would be a further Three Months at the earliest before this position would be resolved.
Unquote
Regards
On the 13th 21st and 28th of November 2024 I sent THREE Emails to Dave Hughes the New Flintshire County Council Leader details enclosed below. Dave Hughes has (The leader of Flintshire County Council's salary could increase from £59,400 to £62,900) an income of £63K paid to Him to Represent the Ratepayers of Flintshire, but so far Dave Hughes has FAILED to respond to these Three Emails that is atrocious conduct from the Newly appointed Leader of Flintshire County Council.
Sent: 28 November 2024 12:43
To: 'dave.hughes@flintshire.gov.uk'
Subject: Failure by Neil Cockerton To Answer My Complaint dating back to 2021
Importance: High
I am still waiting for a response from Yourself Mr Hughes since 13th November.
Sent: 21 November 2024 12:03
To: 'dave.hughes@flintshire.gov.uk'
Subject: Failure by Neil Cockerton To Answer My Complaint dating back to 2021
Importance: High
Attention Dave Hughes
Mr Hughes I emailed Yourself in Your capacity as Leader of the County Council on 13th November.
Could You please respond with Your views on this matter contained in this email of 13th November enclosed below.
Please respond to confirm Your position on this issue whatever that position may be.
Sent: 13 November 2024 12:00
To: 'dave.hughes@flintshire.gov.uk'
Subject: Failure by Neil Cockerton To Answer My Complaint dating back to 2021
Importance: High
Attention Dave Hughes
As the newly appointed Leader of Flintshire County Council I wish to bring this matter details of which are enclosed below to Your attention.
In the email I just sent out to some members of the Press I included Yourself in the circulation.
This matter dates back to 20th September 2021 when I was promised a response within 24/48 Hours regarding My request for Urgent assistance affecting the Security of My Premises and the Safety of My Wife and Myself who are both Pensioners.
I will not expand further as there is a considerable amount of documentation enclosed in the attached email(s) which has been widely and will be widely circulated in the future.
The Four Aspects of My Complaint against Flintshire County Council and in particular against Neal Cockerton have never been addressed by any Party representing the Authority.
So far Mark Tami MP Jack Sargeant MS and Ian Roberts as the then Leader of the Council have ALL REFUSED to offer any assistance in this matter regarding the Four Aspects of My Complaint.
None of the above believe that Neal Cockerton in particular and Flintshire County Council in general should be held accountable to the Ratepayers of Flintshire who fund this Authority together with Central Government.
As the Newly appointed Leader of Flintshire County Council do You also believe that Neal Cockerton and Flintshire County Council generally should Not be held accountable to the Ratepayers of Flintshire. Do You also believe that Complaints against the Authority will remain unanswered and No Apology will ever be issued by Flintshire County Council.
Mr Hughes I would appreciate Your Views on this matter regarding the Four Aspects of My Complaint that remain unanswered in over THREE YEARS.
End of Emails
I have now received a Communication from Rebecca Jones Customer Contact Service Manager on 20th November 2024 stating I must stop copying officers into my emails to the Press and Mark Tami MP.
The Question that Rebecca Jones needs to Urgently Remedy is WHY has my Complaint against Derrick Charlton, Neil Cockerton Chief Executive, The Complaints Department and the Historical Failures by Staff Employed by the Authority have NOT been addressed by any Member Representing Flintshire County Council dating back to November 2021.
Why has Rebecca Jones Failed to address these FOUR outstanding Issues listed below and offered a FULL Apology for the Atrocious Way in which My Complaint has been continuously Ignored and Treated with Sheer Contempt by Flintshire County Council.
These are the Issues that Rebecca Jones needs to Answer in FULL.
I am now in possession of a Document from David Barnes who I now understand is employed in Revenues and Procurement.
Why This Person therefore responded to My Complaint against Neil Cockerton is a complete and utter mystery.
In My earlier correspondence I stated the then response received from David Barnes was Worthless and Failed to address any aspect of My Complaint against Neil Cockerton.
My views regarding the intervention of David Barnes remain unchanged.
Mark Tami MP received an Email from Myself enclosed below dated 20th October 2024 in which I was very Critical of David Barnes and I considered this Person totally unsuitable to deal with My Complaint.
Mark Tami MP did not respond to this email, but instead handed the matter over directly to David Barnes the very Person I was so Critical of.
That is absolutely atrocious conduct from Mark Tami MP, absolutely atrocious.
The Response I received from David Barnes dated 25th October 2024 stated the Council consider the matter Closed and will not respond to any future correspondence from Myself.
David Barnes further Instructed Myself stating that My Claim that Neal Cockerton failed to Respond to Myself is wholly inaccurate and I Must Stop making False Statements.
The Details of My Complaint cover Fours Attributes.
1). Derrick Charlton the Officer involved at first instance was required to Contact Myself within a 24/48 Hour period following My request for Urgent assistance. Derrick Charlton Failed to contact Myself for Two Months and then only did so following an Email addressed to Neal Cockerton on 1st November 2021 in which I stated that Legal Action would commence against Flintshire County Council. After FIVE Months Derrick Charlton had still Not attended to this Urgent Matter and stated it would be a further Three Months at the earliest before this position would be resolved.
Has David Barnes or Neal Cockerton addressed these Failures by Derrick Charlton in My Complaint raised against this Officer ? The Answer is NO. Have I made a False Statement as stated by David Barnes ? No False Statement has been made this Declaration is True and Accurate.
2). The Total Failure of the Complaints Department at Flintshire County Council to hold this Officer to Account. The Department should have instructed Derrek Charlton to contact Myself without delay, but instead both colluded with and protected this Officer from Scrutiny. The Complaints Department were Not interested in dealing with the issue of the Ratepayer, but merely protecting the Officer concerned.
I stated that this Department was a complete waste of Ratepayers Resources and should be disbanded with immediate effect as it was Not serving any useful function.
Has David Barnes or Neal Cockerton addressed the Failures by this Department in My Complaint raised against this Function ? The Answer is NO. Have I made a False Statement as stated by David Barnes ? No False Statement has been made this Declaration is True and Accurate.
3). The Third aspect relates to Neal Cockerton Himself and His refusal to answer the details of My Complaint raised with Neal Cockerton in My Email of 22nd August 2022.
Extracts of Email Dated 22/08/2022
Attention Neal Cockerton
I sent an email addressed to yourself dated 1st November 2021.
I sent a further email via the office of Jack Sargeant MS on 2nd
February 2022 forwarded to yourself.
Jack Sergeant wrote directly to yourself on 31st January 2022.
I discussed this position in detail with the Council Tax Department on
21st June 2022.
Ian Roberts forwarded an email from Myself dated 25th July 2022 directly
to yourself.
So far there has been NO response from yourself which is absolutely
appalling conduct.
Find enclosed below a further email for your urgent attention sent to
Ian Roberts on 6th August.
In September it will be TEN Months since I sent My first Correspondence
addressed to yourself and still NO reply.
When will these matters be finally addressed by yourself?
Has David Barnes or Neal Cockerton addressed the Failures by Neal Cockerton in My Complaint raised against Neal Cockerton Himself ? The Answer is NO. Have I made a False Statement as stated by David Barnes ? No False Statement has been made this Declaration is True and Accurate.
4). The Historical Failures by Flintshire County Council leading up to the issue of the Complaint dating back to 2009.
Quote from Emails enclosed below.
However the area of MY Land that borders the public footpath needs to be fenced off with Notices clearly stating that this is Private Land. Members of the Public are unclear on this point due DIRECTLY to the erroneousness activities carried out by FCC Staff in allowing Hedges owned by Myself to be permanently damaged. Roots to the Hedges have been Illegally removed by FCC Staff and a Stile Illegally located on My Land without any consultation with Myself.
I belief the correct term to be used should have been Kissing Gate not Stile which occupied a considerable section of My Land of which numerous images are available.
Has David Barnes or Neal Cockerton addressed the Historical Failures by Flintshire County Council Staff over a Number of Years Resulting in the Issue that occurred on 19th September 2021? The Answer is NO. Have I made a False Statement as stated by David Barnes ? No False Statement has been made this Declaration is True and Accurate.
Those are the Four Characteristics of My Complaint and None of these Elements have ever been addressed by any Party Representing Flintshire County Council.
This Declaration is True and Accurate and No False Statements have been made on My Part in this Matter.
I quote from My Email dated 20th October 2024 to Mark Tami MP
Can I point out Mr Tami that had Derek Charlton the Officer concerned contacted Myself on 21st September 2021 as He was required to do so and carried out the necessary work rectifying past erroneous activities undertaken by Flintshire County Council Employees that would have concluded the matters.
I would NOT have needed to contact the Complaints Department, Neal Cockerton, Derrek Charlton regarding His Failures, Martin White, Ian Roberts, Jack Sargeant, Council Tax Department, David Barnes, Mark Tami, the Magistrates Court for advice, Thousands of Posts on Twitter (X) over the Past Two Years.
None of these actions would have been necessary had Derrek Chartlon complied with His obligations at first instance rather than being compelled to do so over a Period of Five Months.
I require Yourself Mark Tami MP to ensure that My Complaint is dealt with in FULL By Neil Cockerton and I mean a Full and Comprehensive Response I most certainly do not want a similar totally unsatisfactory Reply as that provided by David Barnes is that clear Mr Tami.
I await Your Urgent Response on this matter.
Mark Tami MP did Not respond to this Email but instead handed the matter over to David Barnes, Quite incredible conduct on the part of the Elected Representative for Alyn and Deeside.
Mark Tami MP did respond to Myself regarding another related issue stating His concerns regarding My involvement of the Press.
I responded to Mark Tami MP on 23rd October Quote Extracts from My Email of that Date.
The information released to the Press is correspondence compiled by Myself with very limited Input from Yourself Mark Tami MP. Very Limited.
I have the absolute Right to publicise matters where My Member Of Parliament is Failing His Constituents and the Ratepayers of Flintshire and I will continue to do so.
On 20th October 2024 I sent another extensive Email addressed to Yourself which You have NOT Responded to. This matter relates to the Failure by Neal Cockerton to deal with My Complaint dating back to November 2021.
I contacted several Press Outlets Yesterday and I will contact several more today highlighting the Failures of Yourself, Jack Sargeant and Ian Roberts in these matters.
The Ratepayers of Flintshire have the Right to know how their Elected Representatives are Failing them in these aspects as it appears to Myself these Representatives are more interested in protecting Neal Cockerton than Representing the Ratepayers of Flintshire.
I await Your Response
No Response Received from Mark Tami MP
Had Neil Cockerton responded to Myself as a Ratepayer who contributes towards His Excessive Salary and Apologised for the Failures associated with Derrick Charlton and further Apologised for the Complete Failures regarding the Complaints Department then that would have been the end of the matter.
Can I at this point reference an earlier instance that occurred between 1999 and 2001 which involved Barry Jones MP at that time.
Quote from earlier correspondence Addressed to Ian Roberts the then Council Leader.
In a Brief Summation Back in 2001 I received an erroneous Letter from an Officer employed by Flintshire County Council which was subsequently proved to be totally false and I therefore required that this Person issues a Full Apology and Wholly retracts this pugnacious and belligerent Letter. This was Refused. The Complaints Department became involved and deliberately colluded with this Officer and other Council Departments in a desperate attempt to hopefully find some form of justifying this offending communication. I stated this position to the Head of Corporate Complaints at that time including referencing His own direct involvement in this process with documents in My possession.
I then raised this matter with Mr Barry Jones MP for this area back in 2001. Mr Jones was very sympathetic to My position and enquired what did I hope to achieve to which I responded I require a full retraction of this letter and a full apology from the then Chief Executive. Mr Jones acquiesced but then hesitated for some time before replying stating I have been a member of parliament for this area for over thirty years and I must say in that time Flintshire County Council do not issue apologies.
I was absolutely dumbfounded by this declaration from the then Elected Member of Parliament for Alyn and Deeside.
Mr Roberts nothing has changed at Flintshire County Council since that period of time when You compare this previous incident against the current situation.
The quote Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely from the nineteenth-century English historian Lord Acton is very relevant as there is no accountability whatsoever of Council Officials at Flintshire County Council.
I am fully prepared to face the Consequences of none payment of Council Tax including a Criminal Conviction if I am able to raise these Concerns in the wider Public Domain.
Mr Roberts what is the point of having a Complaints Department if it Fails to make Council Officers Accountable. This Department must be disbanded with immediate effect as it is serving no purpose whatsoever. I also refer to the comments on this position made by Mr Barry Jones in 2001 coupled with My own observations from that period stated above.
The Current Chief Executive and Employees under his direction do not believe they are accountable to the Ratepayers who pay their salaries or indeed to elected representatives from this area. That is the Culture that is prevalent and has been so for the past Fifty Years based on the response received from Mr Barry Jones in 2001.
I do not have the email address for the Chief Executive but You have My full permission to forward this information to Neal Cockerton directly.
Unquote
This is and always has been the atrocious situation at Flintshire County Council where the Ratepayers of Flintshire who Fund this Authority are treated with Sheer Contempt by this County Council. However in this earlier matter I received the full support from Mr Barry Jones which made a significant difference to the outcome.
I await the Responses from the Press Outlets contacted.
Regards
Andrew Thompson
From: Andrew D Thompson [mailto:andrew@chesterontheweb.com]
Sent: 22 October 2024 14:09
To: susan.perry@newsquest.co.uk; News@Deeside.com; owen.hughes@reachplc.com; dtletters@telegraph.co.uk; Guardian.readers@theguardian.com; 'email'; owen.jones@gmail.com
Cc: 'David Barnes'; chief.executive@flintshire.gov.uk; 'Mark Tami'
Subject: Failure by Neil Cockerton To Answer My Complaint dating back to 2021
Importance: High
Attention Members of the Press
Following an email Received from Mark Tami MP today I do not believe that Mark Tami MP will represent Myself regarding the enclosed email details of which date back to November 2021.
If My Member of Parliament refuses to represent Myself in this matter could You kindly advise what next course of action I should embark on in order that I finally have the enclosed matter dealt with by Neal Cockerton Chief Executive Flintshire County Council.
It is very important that this issue remains in the Public Domain as it affects All Ratepayers in Flintshire who fund this Authority.
Regards
Andrew Thompson
From: Andrew D Thompson [mailto:andrew@chesterontheweb.com]
Sent: 20 October 2024 13:50
To: 'Mark Tami'
Cc: David Barnes; chief.executive@flintshire.gov.uk
Subject: Failure by Neil Cockerton To Answer My Complaint dating back to 2021
Importance: High
Attention Mark Tami MP
Two Years ago this October I embarked on an extensive Social Media Campaign following the Refusal by Neal Cockerton Chief Executive to answer My Complaint details of which are copiously specified in this email. There are a number of instances where Neal Cockerton has REFUSED to Respond to My Correspondence which are documented throughout this email.
To Date on X (Twitter) alone I have posted approximately 3500 Posts across a wide range of relevant accounts from Political Bodies, Press Outlets, Local Independent Journalists, Local Councils, Elected Representatives past and present including Local Councillors, Members of Parliament, Members of the Senedd including the First Minister, Organisations associated with Flintshire County Council the list is quite considerable, but all with significance to the Recurring Failures by Neil Cockerton to Answer the Complaint of a Ratepayer who contributes towards His excessive Salary.
I have received support from various Sources but at the same time have also been Blocked from a Number of Bodies these include a Local Council, an Organisation connected with Flintshire County Council, a Local Councillor, a Local School, a Press Outlet. I have been Blocked Twice by Flintshire County Council. Why should this be the case when what is being published is 100% accurate it is FACT and it is most certainly in the interests of the Ratepayers of Flintshire. All My Correspondence on this matter are backed up fully by emails dating back to October 2021. I literally have a Tsunami of Documents at My disposal.
Fortunately the support received from various other sources exceeds these stated elements above.
Mr Tami You have an X Account where You can be seen frequently posing for Photographs try not to have your hands in your pockets it gives the impression you are not interested and sitting around Tables consuming refreshments all excellent publicity.
On numerous occasions I have posted the Failures by Neal Cockerton to deal with My Complaint, but at no juncture did Yourself as the Elected Member of Parliament for Alyn and Deeside who is paid £93,346 Salary Plus Substantial Expenses and the Employment of a Family Member together with Hospitality valued at £2,148 (Two tickets with hospitality for a Madonna concert at the O2., value £2,148) and indeed other declared benefits contact Myself regarding these matters. Can You explain Why Mr Tami?
What action did You take if any Mr Tami in ensuring that the unaccountable Neil Cockerton is held to Account ? Why did You Not assist in this matter in ensuring that Neal Cockerton is compelled to respond, this matter affects All Ratepayers in Flintshire? This person is on £160K a Year approximate Salary compatible with the Prime Minister. Do You Not think this Person should be held Accountable to the Ratepayers of Flintshire?
Did You take any action Mr Tami on these issues? My mistake Yes of course You did Mr Tami You Blocked Myself from Your Twitter Account. Do You Not Agree with Freedom of Speech Mr Tami ?
Do Not You believe that Members of Your Constituency have the Right to Publish True and Accurate Statements on Your Social Media Accounts? Please explain Your position Mr Tami.
The then Leader of Flintshire County Council Ian Roberts Refused to Hold Neal Cockerton to Account in these matters in August 2022. Ian Roberts even refused to forward a second Email to the Chief Executive on My Behalf at that same time.
Jack Sargeant MS wrote to Neil Cockerton on 31st January 2022 requiring an explanation regarding My Complaint. I was provided with a copy of this Letter which was well compiled not perfect but acceptable, however Neal Cockerton Failed to Respond. I instructed Jack Sargeant MS to ensure that Neal Cockerton responds immediately and must be held accountable. However the reaction from Jack Sargeant MS was to close My File without receiving any retort from Neal Cockerton.
You Yourself Mark Tami MP refused to contact Myself via Your X Account but instead Blocked Myself from making further Postings.
I must admit Neal Cockerton must be feeling impregnable invincible indeed with the exclusive backing of the Publicly Funded Authority together with All Three Senior Elected Officials. All very cosy would You Not agree Mr Tami?
As a Taxpayer and a Ratepayer I look at this question and ask how much Public Money is being squandered here?
Neal Cockerton Salary approx. £160K not including those employed in Chief Executive Office.
Yourself on £93K plus Expenses plus the Employment of Your Wife I will assume £200K.
I will assume the same amount for Jack Sargeant MS say £200K.
The then Leader of The Council Ian Roberts say £60K.
There is an annual Cost to Central Taxpayers and Ratepayers of Flintshire of approximately £600k a Year this would be considerably greater if including the running costs of Chief Executives Office and Researchers employed by Yourself and Jack Sargeant.
Yet with All these extremely well remunerated Elected Officials supposedly Representing the Residents of Flintshire I cannot obtain a Response to a Complaint originally raised with Neal Cockerton in November 2021. Quite astonishing quite extraordinary would You disagree with this statement Mr Tami?
I sent an Email for the attention of Neal Cockerton on 1st November 2021 that is not a mistake 1st November 2021 and I have still NOT received any response from Neal Cockerton Chief Executive Flintshire County Council.
Jack Sargeant MS wrote to Neal Cockerton on My Behalf on 31st January 2022 but did NOT receive a Response from Neal Cockerton.
I sent an email to Jack Sargeant which was forwarded to Neal Cockerton on 2nd February 2022, but have NOT received a Response from Neal Cockerton.
I was unable to find an Email address for Neal Cockerton at that time so I asked the then Council Leader Ian Roberts to forward a document which is enclosed below dated 25th July 2022. This Document was Forwarded. However Yet again Neal Cockerton did NOT Respond to this Email.
I sent a second Email to Ian Roberts who refused to forward this second document to Neal Cockerton dated 6th August 2022.
On 22nd August 2022 I forwarded this Email directly to Neal Cockerton but once again I have NOT received a Response from Neal Cockerton.
Following the issues regarding My Council Tax a certain David Barnes contacted Myself who I understand is employed in the Council Tax Department I may be wrong as this Person did not provide a Job Title or Department. I received a Response in October 2022 which Totally Failed to deal with any of the issues raised in My Complaint. Why did this David Barnes Respond Anyway? Who is He? Why did He not provide a Job Title ? This clearly was NOT His area of expertise. What had My Complaint in any way to do with this David Barnes whoever He is ?
Hypothetically if the secondary issue had revolved around the Public Toilet Facilities in Buckley or Patrol Crossings for Children would Neal Cockerton have deleted this task to the Lavatory Attendant or the Local Lollipop Lady ?
This is appalling conduct from Flintshire County Council but not unexpected.
See My Response Dated 17th October 2022 to this David Barnes whoever He happens to be.
From: Andrew D Thompson <andrew@chesterontheweb.com>
Sent: 17 October 2022 11:00
To: David Barnes <david.barnes@flintshire.gov.uk>
Cc: Neal CockertonOLD <neal.cockertonOLD@flintshire.gov.uk>
Subject: EXTERNAL Refusal by Neal Cockerton to answer My Complaint
CAUTION: This email has reached Flintshire County Council from an external source. Please be extra cautious prior to opening any links or attachments, particularly if you weren’t expecting the email or don’t recognise the sender.
Attention David Barnes
With Reference Your abysmal Email dated 23rd August 2022 which FAILED Totally to address any aspect of My Complaint raised with Neal Cockerton on copious previous instances.
See below the number of outstanding correspondence which Neal Cockerton has continuously FAILED to address since 1st November 2021.
This position is absolutely appalling and I will now embark on a detailed Media Campaign highlighting this despicable conduct by Neal Cockerton in refusing to provide any explanation and treating the Ratepayers of Flintshire who pay his ludicrous Salary with sheer contempt.
Quote from Email Dated 22nd August 2022 addressed directly to Neal Cockerton
These are the FAILURES associated with Neal Cockerton
Extracts of Email Dated 22/08/2022 published on My Website
Attention Neal Cockerton
I sent an email addressed to yourself dated 1st November 2021.
I sent a further email via the office of Jack Sargeant MS on 2nd
February 2022 forwarded to yourself.
Jack Sergeant wrote directly to yourself on 31st January 2022.
I discussed this position in detail with the Council Tax Department on
21st June 2022.
Ian Roberts forwarded an email from Myself dated 25th July 2022 directly
to yourself.
So far there has been NO response from yourself which is absolutely
appalling conduct.
Find enclosed below a further email for your urgent attention sent to
Ian Roberts on 6th August.
In September it will be TEN Months since I sent My first Correspondence
addressed to yourself and still NO reply.
When will these matters be finally addressed by yourself?
Regards
Andrew Thompson
In October 2022 I embarked on a Social Media Campaign highlighting these matters too Numerous Bodies as stated above including Flintshire County Council who have Blocked My Twitter Accounts on TWO occasions, to Jack Sargeant MS and to Yourself Mark Tami MP who has also Blocked One of My Twitter Accounts. Such excellent work Mr Tami in Your capacity of representing the Constituents of Alyn and Deeside.
Jack Sargeant has NOT responded to any of MY requests for assistance in TWO Years.
Now that You have contacted Neal Cockerton regarding the Council Tax issue I require that You write to Neal Cockerton on My Behalf regarding the Original issue which dates back to September 2021 in the THREE comprehensive Emails listed below. Please inform Me when this has occurred and forward a copy of the Letter sent to Neal Cockerton from Yourself on My behalf.
In the Emails enclosed there is considerable information all of which has been provided to Neal Cockerton since November 2021. The major issue I have is that considering My advancing Years will I actually live long enough to receive such a response? Very debatable such is the contempt that Neal Cockertion displays towards the Ratepayers of Flintshire who fund His Salary.
What I need is an MP with some fight and backbone in representing the Constituents of Alyn and Deeside, but unfortunately all I have available is Yourself Mr Tami so it does not look promising from My perspective I must admit.
Flintshire County Council already have all the detailed information enclosed. However I have included the Chief Executive Office in this email.
The Issues I want You to raise with Neil Cockerton are
1). The Failures associated with Officer Derrek Charlton Rights of Way Department. This person was required to respond within 24/48 Hours to the Urgent request for assistance but Failed to do so in September 2021. He contacted Myself November 2021 following My Email to Neil Cockerton in which I stated I would commence with Legal Action against the Authority. Those are the lengths I had to proceed with in order to compel Derrek Charlton to reply.
On 31st January 2022 still this Urgent Work threatening the Security of My Premises and the Safety of Wife and Myself was not carried out. Derek Charlton stated His Department were dealing with the aftermath of a major Storm from November 2021 and that the work not be completed until April at earliest.
Jack Sargeant MS became involved and I pointed out to Derek Charlton the Urgency of the Work involved and that He must have been aware in September 2021 that the Country was entering the Storm Seasion. I further provided out to this Person Historical Evidence from the Met Office regarding Storm patterns.
I made My position very clear that Derrek Charlton was aware of the need to carry out this Urgent Work some TWO MONTHS before this Storm Hit the UK a position endorsed by Jack Sargeant MS.
2). The Total Failure of the Complaints Department at Flintshire County Council to hold this Officer to Account. The Department should have instructed Derrek Charlton to contact Myself without delay, but instead both colluded with and protected this Officer from Scrutiny. The Complaints Department were Not interested in dealing with the issue of the Ratepayer but merely protecting the Officer concerned.
I stated that this Department was a complete waste of Ratepayers Resources and should be disbanded with immediate effect as it was Not serving any useful function.
I referenced an earlier case dating back to 2001 when I received an offensive and totally fallacious Letter from Flintshire County Council which I then was raised Mr Barry Jones MP.
The Officers concerned embarked on a covert operation that involved the then Head of Corporate Complaints in order to desperately attempt to justify this document.
The Head of Corporate Complaints wrote to me stating that an Officer from the Highways Department would be visiting the Field adjourning My Property to carry out an investigation.
I contacted the Head of Corporate Complaints and stated where was this Officer working today? The reply was I have no idea which I agreed with. I asked where will this Officer be working over the next Month? The reply was I have no idea which I agreed with. I asked where was this Officer employed over the preceding Month and the Reply was the same. I then asked how did You know He would be attending this Field on a certain Date to carry out an investigation? an investigation of what? I stated You have contacted this Officer as indeed You have contacted both Officers regarding the Complaint so there is clear collusion here between all Three Departments. At this point the Corporate Complaints Officer terminated the phone call stating He would only communicate via written correspondence in future.
Nothing has changed at Flintshire County Council Complaints Department in 23 years if at all during its existence.
If the Complaints Department sole objective is to protect Authority Employees to the determinant of Ratepayers which is most certainly the case then it should be disbanded as it is serving no benefit to the Ratepayers of Flintshire who fund this service.
3). The third aspect involves Neal Cockerton Himself and His refusal to answer the details of My Complaint raised with Neal Cockerton in My Email of 22nd August 2022 enclosed above.
4). The Historical Failures by Flintshire County Council leading up to the issue of the Complaint dating back to 2009.
Quote from Emails enclosed below.
However the area of MY Land that borders the public footpath needs to be fenced off with Notices clearly stating that this is Private Land. Members of the Public are unclear on this point due DIRECTLY to the erroneousness activities carried out by FCC Staff in allowing Hedges owned by Myself to be permanently damaged. Roots to the Hedges have been Illegally removed by FCC Staff and a Stile Illegally located on My Land without any consultation with Myself.
I belief the correct term to be used should have been Kissing Gate not Stile which occupied a considerable section of My Land of which numerous images are available.
Can I point out Mr Tami that had Derek Charlton the Officer concerned contacted Myself on 21st September 2021 as He was required to do so and carried out the necessary work rectifying past erroneous activities undertaken by Flintshire County Council Employees that would have concluded the matters.
I would NOT have needed to contact the Complaints Department, Neal Cockerton, Derrek Charlton regarding His Failures, Martin White, Ian Roberts, Jack Sargeant, Council Tax Department, David Barnes, Mark Tami, the Magistrates Court for advice, Thousands of Posts on Twitter (X) over the Past Two Years.
I would have posted on Facebook as well but have been prevented from doing so on unrelated matters.
None of these actions would have been necessary had Derrek Chartlon complied with His obligations at first instance rather than being compelled to do so over a Period of Five Months.
I require Yourself Mark Tami MP to ensure that My Complaint is dealt with in FULL By Neil Cockerton and I mean a Full and Comprehensive Response I most certainly do not want a similar totally unsatisfactory Reply as that provided by David Barnes is that clear Mr Tami.
I await Your Urgent Response on this matter.
Regards
No Response Received from Mark Tami MP