Romford Conservative Councillor Hits Out At Council Leader’s Failure To Answer On Council Staff Working Abroad.

Councillor Viddy Persaud, Conservative councillor for Rush Green and Crowlands Ward, has demanded answers from the Council Leader over revelations that some council staff may be working from overseas for long periods of time.

At a recent Council meeting, Cllr Persaud asked the Leader: “How many staff members have applied for, and been given leave to, work from abroad as per page 4 of Havering Council’s Working from Abroad procedure?”

Her follow-up questions pressed further, asking how the performance of staff working abroad is being monitored.

In response, HRA Council Leader Cllr. Ray Morgon was unable to provide an answer.

Cllr Persaud said afterwards:

“Residents will be shocked to learn that council staff could be living and working abroad long-term while being paid by local taxpayers. This raises serious concerns about accountability and performance. People expect their council services to be delivered by staff who are present, available, and connected to Havering, not based overseas. The fact that the Council Leader couldn’t even explain how staff performance is monitored shows just how little oversight there is.”

Romford Conservatives are demanding full transparency, calling on the Leader to publish:

What checks are in place to ensure their work is properly monitored.

Why such arrangements have been approved in the first place.

Cllr. Dilip Patel, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group, backed Cllr. Persaud’s intervention, adding:“This is simply not good enough. Taxpayers are footing the bill, and yet the Council Leader seems unable or unwilling to explain how this is being controlled. Our residents deserve answers, and we will keep pressing until they get them.”

The Romford Conservatives have pledged to continue holding the administration to account until clear rules and robust monitoring are in place.

In response Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council told the Havering Daily:

As outlined at Full Council, we monitor staff who work abroad in the same way that we monitor staff who work from home in the UK or in the Town Hall. There is no difference.

“The vast majority of requests for working abroad are only for a limited period up to 30 days. Flexible working can have its advantages for the Council.

“For example, a member of staff who suffered a bereavement was able to work abroad – doing what they would normally do – while attending to funeral arrangements.

“Applications to work abroad are carefully considered in order to make sure staff can carry out their role effectively while managing their work-life balance and ensuring cyber security is protected. 

“We are in a world where many of us – both staff and members – can work in different ways. As someone who works in human resources and recruitment – I would expect Cllr Persaud to be aware of this.”

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