Cllr David “Drury” Monk

Cllr David “Drury” Monk (pictured)  Leader of Shepway District Council lives at 23 Minter Avenue Densole Kent CT18 7DS according to the SDC website. He represent the Folkestone Harvey Central ward – the ward with the highest levels of deprivation in Shepway and in the top 20% of most deprived wards in the UK.

The Land Registry however states he is not the owner of the property he cites as his home in Densole. His wife is. Therefore Cllr David “Drury” Monk is not legally liable for Council Tax as he is not the owner. We are sure though he contributes something towards it as he is a married man and probably takes his responsibility of paying his bills seriously, like many of us.

Cllr Monk is also a Director in All Health Matters Ltd and the Accounts for the last four years , show that he and his wife run Their Company Website states they have three offices one in Canterbury, one in West London and one in East London and have worked with council employees/employers previously in various capacities quite legitimately may we add.  Cllr Monk is SDC’s representative on the Local Government Association [LGA] – an organisation which is not subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Cllr Monk meets other elected Councillors at the LGA meetings who represent their Councils. What we at Shepwayvox would like to ask Cllr Monk, is: – has he ever touted for business for his company when at these meetings? We are making no accusations, just asking for clarification. 

As a Cllr  – Mr Monk is not liable in law to pay Council Tax, yet sets ours here in Shepway. He has access to other decision makers at LGA meetings – elected officials – to discuss health matters and put forward his company as a solution. The LGA  is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act so any requests for information will not succeed.

We are not saying that Cllr Monk has done anything untoward whatsoever. What we are saying is the opportunity is there. For the record, we seek clarification from Cllr Monk.

NB: The Seven Principles of Public Life are: 1) SELFLESSNESS 2) INTEGRITY 3) OBJECTIVITY 4) ACCOUNTABILITY 5) OPENNESS 6) HONESTY 7) LEADERSHIP

In accordance with the Localism Act 2011, and in order to help maintain public confidence in this Authority – read SDC, Cllrs are committed to behaving in a manner that is consistent with the following principles above. However, it should be noted that these Principles do not create statutory obligations [ read no legal requirement ]  for Councillors and do not form part of the Code. It follows from this that the SDC cannot accept allegations that they have been breached.

The Shepwayvox Team – Dissent is NOT a Crime