A WIGAN council department head — who appeared in a controversial documentary about the authority — has been relieved of his duties while an internal review takes place.

ITV’s Don’t Blame the Council featured footage of staff from Wigan Council’s waste team sleeping on the job, clocking off early to play darts and criticising council schemes.

The programme drew criticism from Bolton Council’s cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Nick Peel, who is heading up plans to merge the two authority’s environmental departments over the next two years.

Cllr Peel said he was “shocked and disturbed” by the behaviour of some of the Wigan staff featured in the programme, adding that there were “issues to iron out” ahead of the partnership.

Since the show aired, Wigan Council has launched an internal review and environmental services boss Terry Dunn has been temporarily taken off the job.

The council’s assistant director for legal, Linda Fisher and assistant director for HR, Sonia Halliwell are conducting the swift investigation on behalf of the Leader of Wigan Council, Lord Peter Smith.

All staff who appeared in the programme, which aired on June 23 have been interviewed during the first phase of the process.

The council said that while the investigation continues, Donna Hall, chief executive of Wigan Council, has appointed her deputy, Paul McKevitt, to temporarily take charge of the environment service.

In an email to staff, the Leader of Wigan Council, Lord Peter Smith, said: “Deputy Leader, Cllr David Molyneux, and myself have now had the opportunity to consider the investigation’s initial findings.

“Many of the individuals involved have been deeply affected by the film and feel that their views were taken out of context. However the review has revealed some areas which require further investigation. "

Commenting on the upcoming partnership between the two councils, Lord Smith and his opposite number in Bolton, Cllr Cliff Morris, released a joint statement.

It read: “Both Wigan and Bolton Councils are committed to providing efficient and excellent customer service for the taxpayers of Bolton and Wigan Borough.

“This partnership will help us to realise our joint aspirations, however with the Wigan investigation into Don’t Blame the Council on-going, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this stage.”