Another Council matter referred to Cheshire Police

by Lisa Reeves

Tuesday 2^nd October 2018

Tue 2^nd Oct 2018

Cheshire East Council has announced that a new matter has been referred to Cheshire Police for their consideration.

Kath O'Dwyer, acting chief executive of Cheshire East Council, said: "As a result of a targeted, forensic audit of historical land transactions, I can confirm that we have now referred a further matter to Cheshire Police who will consider whether or not there are grounds to investigate.

"It would not be appropriate for me to expand on this further and, therefore, there will be no further comment from the council at this time."

There are several ongoing police investigations. In March 2018 Cheshire East Council announced that two matters had been referred to Cheshire Police to determine whether an investigation is required.

One of the referrals was in connection with the purchase of land at Cledford Lane in Middlewich for the development of the Council's new Environmental Hub whilst the Council declined to confirm what the second matter was in connection with.

These latest referrals are in addition to four other matters which are being investigated after being referred to the police by Cheshire East Council. These investigations are regarding the awarding of contracts to CoreFit, the former Council Leader's physiotherapist, the deliberate manipulation of air quality data, the Council's decision to allocate £70,000 of public funds to Berkeley Academy in Wistaston for a car park and another land purchase.

Tags:: Cheshire East Council

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Nick Jones

Tuesday 2^nd October 2018 at 4:11 pm

You really couldnt make this stuff up could you !!
Add this to the catalogue of failures.... clear evidence why this petition fneeds to be signed..

https://bit.ly/2Nib2x4

Manuel Golding

Tuesday 2^nd October 2018 at 4:59 pm

What is it about CECs "environmental hubs" that attracts suspicions of questionable practice?
Will this be a re run of the Lyme Green episode?
Methinks Cheshire Constabulary shoulf open a new "shop" at & in Westfields. Many advantages - no need for cars with blue lights speeding around the Cheshire lanes the "suspects" will be on immediate hand for interview, documentation & IT equipment within a corridor stroll, everyone keeps dry and warm and will save £000s on police pay & time.
Everyone a winner!

Pete Taylor

Tuesday 2^nd October 2018 at 6:29 pm

Tick... tock... maybe a couple of folks in Alderley who are, frankly, getting nearer to the forensic microscope...

Bob Bracegirdle

Wednesday 3^rd October 2018 at 2:54 pm

As my friends from elsewhere remind means I don't know if this is true but they say CEC has the most senior officers suspended on full pay in the country.

Meanwhile the dangerous filthy (non)reflective keep left sign in Oxford Road, Macclesfield, is STILL uncleaned, despite two untrue statements that the job has been done, and another phone call saying sorry but someone is going out tomorrow to do it personally - that was two weeks ago - still filthy after 10 months. How hard can it be?

Wednesday 3^rd October 2018 at 3:16 pm

Will the “second matter” turn out to be the mysterious purchase by CEC of the land for the proposed Dobies Garden Centre opposite Alderley Park?

Lynne Prescott

Wednesday 3^rd October 2018 at 3:33 pm

This is why there is a petition circulating at the moment , sponsored by Independent Councillors, that aims to use the weight of public appeal to force a referendum on changing the way the council operates from the current 'cabinet style ' to a committee style, which would allow more of the councillors we elect as a deliberate counter-balance to party politics to get access to what really goes on at the council office

With all this in the news, one might think that the current system, where many decisions are made by a cabinet of 8, is not a wise choice for a council that is currently fielding FOUR police investigations into its senior management! If you believe its time to let sunlight in to the way CEC makes its decisions and let it perform its role as a natural disinfectant, then please sign the petition and encourage others to do so as well!

Ian Kennedy

Thursday 4^th October 2018 at 7:14 pm

Given the value of building land in Cheshire is it any surprise that some "controversial" decisions are made over planning applications. Where are the "affordable homes?, where are the community centres?, where are the G.P. surgeries?, where are the school places?

David Nelson

Friday 5^th October 2018 at 8:09 am

"Referred to the police" Well that cuts down on the number of officers helping to maintain law and order in the big wide Cheshire world.
Why can't the council act professionally?
It would save a fortune for the populace who fund their income.

Steve 'Buck' Taylor

Friday 5^th October 2018 at 10:01 am

OOPS here we go again as Nick Jones said you couldn't make this up!!! Do we have enough experienced coppers to investigate this nest of vipers?? I await the outcome in great anticipation!!!!

Ian Cook

Saturday 6^th October 2018 at 7:04 am

That’s more senior council staff on fully paid gardening leave for the next 2 years?

Last I heard it was £35,000 a month salaries to suspended CEC staff??

How much now??

Let’s Close another community project to fund this.

Where is the transparency??