Questions raised over Norfolk council chief's meal before his job advert

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 07:32 · Archive

Fresh questions surround the appointment of Norfolk County Council's chief executive after a £100 meal he provided to two councillors the day before the job was advertised.

Fresh questions are being raised about the appointment process for Norfolk County Council's chief executive following confirmation that Dennis Bacon provided a £100 meal for two senior councillors the day before applications opened for the £215,000-a-year post.

The meal took place on 1 July at a bed and breakfast Mr Bacon ran at 38 St Giles Street in Norwich. It involved council Reform leader David Bick and Kabeer Kher, the cabinet member for business, skills and agriculture. When Mr Kher asked for the meal to be registered on the official hospitality register, it was recorded as being 'courtesy of Mr Bacon'. Previously, Mr Kher had said he was 'pretty sure' Mr Bacon was present at the event, while Mr Bick said he could not recall.

The meal occurred the day after Mr Bacon resigned as director of Apple Homecare and the day before the chief executive position was advertised following Tom McCabe's resignation. During the interview process, 49 candidates were reduced to four, including Mr Bacon. Mr Bick was one of the councillors who sat on the selection panel that chose Mr Bacon as the preferred candidate on 5 August.

How it is being reported

• Fresh questions over £100 meal on eve of applications for £215k council chief jobFresh questions are being asked about the process which led to the appointment of Norfolk County Council's chief executive.Eastern Daily Press · 23 Oct, 06:38
• Fresh questions over £100 meal on eve of applications for £215k council chief jobFresh questions are being asked about the process which led to the appointment of Norfolk County Council's chief executive.Norwich Evening News · 23 Oct, 06:38

In this story: Dennis Bacon · David Bick · Kabeer Kher · Norfolk County Council · Apple Homecare · Ben Weston · Tom McCabe · Norwich

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