Police have launched a criminal investigation into Cheshire East Council's awarding of contracts to a company which is run by the council leader's physiotherapist, to determine whether there has been any "misconduct in a public office".
Core Fit, which is run by Amanda Morris, were awarded three contracts with a total value of £156,000 to deliver fitness classes in schools. The contracts were awarded outside of normal contract procedure rules using a waiver notice which was signed by senior officers.
The Leader of Cheshire East Council Michael Jones announced his resignation at a meeting of the Cheshire East Conservative Group on Tuesday 8th December, as a result of the controversy caused by the awarding of the contracts to Core Fit but has maintained that he has done nothing wrong, saying "I am clear that I have not misled the Council". He said he was resigning as a result of infighting within the Conservative Party.
Last month Cheshire Police appointed the Head of the Economic Crime Unit to review the available material to establish if there are any matters that may require investigation. As a result they have commenced a criminal investigation.
A police spokesperson said "On 23 December, Cheshire Constabulary commenced a criminal investigation into misconduct in a public office as a result of information received about Cheshire East Council and the award of contracts.
"The investigation relates to the award of contracts and the involvement of all relevant individuals in that process. The purpose of the investigation is to establish what happened and who was involved."
Comments
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Well, not so big really, trying to shout down a woman.
Blindingly obvious it was not our esteemed Conservative councillors; they all appeared, by voice & "action" to have not been at all concerned, indeed appear to have been more than delighted to allow the ship. master & crew to hit the rocks.
Thank goodness the the alarm bells were raised by a non Conservative councillor and bravely taken up by our heroic Madam Mayor - she being the one, the ONLY one, brave enough & willing enough to confront the leader. That says an awful lot about the rest of our Conservative councillors. Shame on each and every one of them.
Now these non heroic Conservatives will be in-fighting to secure the leadership role, instead of doing the honourable thing - resigning en masse, thus allowing the electorate a say on the Party's apparatchiks group behaviour.
Will they? Of course not! Personal aggrandisement comes long before honour. Now there is a word they obviously do not understand, honour.
Hope the electorate will not forget the damage and shame their Conservative councillors have wrought upon the borough and vote for Independents at the next CEC elections.