Outrage at Durham Council catering contract

Jun 14 2009 by Neil McKay, Sunday Sun

A POLITICAL bun fight has erupted after a local authority catering contract was handed to a councillor’s husband.

When councils in County Durham merged, a cathedral service was organised in a bid to unite members of the new organisation.

The Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Tom Wright preached on the need for politicians to “rebuild trust” at the civic service of thanksgiving and dedication in Durham Cathedral on May 30.

More than 200 were present to celebrate the formation of a new unitary authority.

But now an unholy row has broken out. Council staff are furious that a contract to provide refreshments after the service was not awarded to the authority’s own caterers.

Instead it went to the husband of one of the authority’s councillors.

Gavin Jopling, husband of Liberal Democrat councillor Pat Jopling, was awarded the contract – worth an estimated £2000 – to provide a buffet in Durham Town Hall after the service.

Council workers were outraged when the council’s own Neighbourhood Services department, which was not asked to provide the buffet, then had to loan out crockery and cutlery to help out the Joplings.

A council insider, who declined to be named for fear of repercussions, told the Sunday Sun: “Council staff feel badly let down.

“Our own catering wing provides staff to cater for council functions.

“The Gala Theatre, which is owned by the council, also has its own catering staff, yet this contract was awarded to the husband of a councillor.

“The whole thing stinks and has left a very sour taste in the mouth.”