24 October 2003
Armagh City and District Council in Northern Ireland is to pay £32,500 in compensation to a Catholic man who failed to be appointed as its chief executive.
James Sanderson had worked for Armagh council for 16 years and was director of community services when he applied for the most senior job. He was shortlisted for the post, but interviewed by all 22 councillors, who divided upon party lines in making the appointment.
A statement by Armagh council said: 'Whilst not admitting liability, the council accepts that its recruitment practices and procedures were flawed and it is genuinely committed to reviewing these with the Equality Commission to ensure best practice for the future.'
Joan Harbison, chief commissioner of the Equality Commission, said: 'Councillors, like all other employers, must follow the law and avoid political or religious discrimination when appointing staff. Voting in party blocks raises obvious questions as to whether each councillor is assessing the candidates before him or her fairly and independently, or following some previously agreed party line.'
Sanderson said that he was pleased with the outcome and an apology issued to him by the council.
It has been common for all members of Northern Irish councils to be involved in appointing senior officers. Adrian Kerr, chief executive of the Local Government Staff Commission for Northern Ireland, said: 'In very small councils, all councillors may be involved.'
But in larger local authorities there is usually now a panel of councillors, which is representative of the council's parties and has a gender balance.
PFoct2003
