Concerns over staff morale at Warwickshire County Council have been raised in response to leader George Finch describing "boots on neck-style" methods to get things done.

Cllr Keith Kondakor addressed the matter at this week's meeting of the resources, fire and rescue overview and scrutiny committee with portfolio holder for customer and localities Cllr Mike Bannister dismissing the issue before attempting to deflect towards immigration policies.

In January, leader Cllr George Finch was interviewed by comedian and former local government worker Matt Forde for his Political Party podcast. 

In it, Cllr Finch detailed difficulties with Warwickshire being an "officer-led council", inferring that the professionals employed at the authority had been reluctant to act on the wishes of the elected leadership. 

He said: "We had spies in the Conservatives telling us where to look and that was one of the main things they said – take control.

"And if that means, so to speak, boots on neck-type policies – you know, squeeze, squeeze, squeeze and they will eventually pop – because they have no constitutional remit to do that, they're just praying that we are naive enough to just follow the officers' opinion.

"Now I will always listen to their opinion but whether that opinion holds up is a different worry."

Mr Forde put to Cllr Finch that "boots on neck is quite a violent way of putting it" suggesting that he was "sure" that the leader used "persuasion as well". He went on to state officers often provide "an important check and balance on politicians". 

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"Exactly that," replied Cllr Finch, reiterating that the council has "some really good officers" who "when we give them some really innovative ideas actually then add (value to them)".

Cllr Finch continued: "Yes, there are some officers who don't think we (Reform UK) should be in power and that we are terrible people and there is always persuasion.

"You have to go into a room and persuade them first. Technically, you are trying to sell them an idea. They are going to throw all this bureaucratic nonsense, the papers, maybe not this, maybe next year, all these suggestions. 

"No, no, no, that's where you have to lay down the law, lay down that you are in charge and lay down a little bit of a boot on neck-type thing (to say) actually, thanks for your advice, but I am now instructing you to go off and do what I say."

Cllr Kondakor referred to "a really good vibe" among staff under the previous Conservative administration.

"I fear where we are going with some of the changes that have come in," he said before asking Kate Sullivan, Warwickshire County Council's head of workforce planning and development, about the county's workforce survey.

"Is there any early indication as to how people are considering us as an organisation? Particularly with the change in leadership and some of the unfortunate comments about boots on necks and things from the leader, which I think were unhelpful to encouraging people to work for the organisation. 

Cllr Bannister interjected with: "Boots on neck. Wow. 

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"I see no difficulty at all, Keith, across the workforce. People are doing their jobs, they are working in a good environment for a good employer. 

"People trying to bring in issues like boots on neck all the time, reiterating that, doesn't help anyone. 

"I think the Green Party should concentrate on looking at who they have got into bed with and their immigration policy."

Committee chair Cllr Andy Crump cut in at that point and asked Cllr Kondakor to "stick to the point and potentially ask questions in a slightly different way".

Ms Sullivan said the survey went live this week and runs until late March with feedback likely to come forward in early April. She noted that performance data measuring sickness absence and retention rates, which can be "key to how people are generally feeling", was trending positively. 

She also agreed to Cllr Kondakor's request for councillors to have early sight of the survey data.

Matt Forde's hour-long podcast with Cllr Finch can be accessed via Spotify.