An independent review of Cheshire East’s culture is getting underway to focus on an ongoing perception of bullying and harassment.

The review is being conducted by the Local Government Association (LGA), consisting of one to one interviews and focus groups with staff including senior managers, trade union reports and councillors from political parties. There will also be interviews with senior staff including the acting chief executive, head of HR, cabinet members and staffing committee chairman.

Sara Barker, head of human resources at Cheshire East Council, told the recent meeting of the council’s staffing committee: “It’s not intended to be an inspection but more a reality check to actually understand what arrangements we have in place across the council and a reality check on the ground with officers to actually understand what behaviours are like and how staff experiences are in the workplace in the current working environment. And to provide us with opportunities to gain a greater understanding and takes steps to provide further arrangements to make safer and wellbeing working arrangements for staff.”