Officer dismissed from council

A senior officer at Erewash Borough Council has been dismissed, a year after being suspended following a damning report on its performance.

Councillors agreed to the course of action over Geoff Cooke at a special meeting, it has been revealed.

Another officer, Keith Osbourne, also suspended for 12 months will get one of his roles back.

The council said it will not discuss the outcome of the disciplinary hearing or details of the suspension.

Improvement plan

Geoff Cooke was head of leisure services before being suspended in the wake of the Audit Commission report.

Keith Osbourne, has been reinstated to one of his former roles - that of Director of Operational Services.

The report into the council's performance has seen several key figures resign including the council's leader Cyril Stevens.

Pam Sheppherd, from the East Midlands branch of the union Unison, said: "With the investigation finished and a new chief executive starting, people are looking ahead.

"We have an improvement plan in place and are working with councillors and officers and we are hoping to take the council forward."