MPs call for police inquiry into district council

Two MPs have called for police to investigate "significant concerns" about Ashfield District Council.

In a letter to Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Steve Cooper, Ashfield's Reform UK MP Lee Anderson and Labour's Michelle Welsh, whose Sherwood Forest seat includes part of the authority's area, said a number of "deeply concerning" issues had emerged following the fraud conviction of former leader Jason Zadrozny.

They said the issues "relate particularly" to the council's planning department, as well as the council's procurement processes.

A spokesperson for the council said it ensured "decisions are lawful and properly governed". Nottinghamshire Police has been contacted for comment.

Zadrozny, 46, was convicted in September of nine counts of fraud and four counts of tax evasion and is due to be sentenced on 27 November.

He was accused of setting up a fake heritage group to defraud Nottinghamshire County Council out of thousands of pounds.

Prosecutors also alleged he failed to pay tax on four rental properties.

Zadrozny resigned as leader of the district council the day after his conviction but remained as a councillor, and was given a seat on the authority's planning committee.

Some councillors said they were unhappy with this and a number of Ashfield Independents quit the party and formed a new opposition group, the District Alliance.

Welsh had raised concerns about the way the council was being run and previously called for government intervention.

Anderson also raised the matter during Prime Minister's Questions on 28 October and was told by Andy Burnham the government was monitoring the situation.

The government has since confirmed a rapid review into the council's governance and decision-making processes will take place.

In their letter to Cooper, Anderson and Welsh said: "We note that, having raised these issues with the government, a rapid best value assessment of the authority has been ordered, and senior officials in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government are currently meeting with council representatives and the authority's external auditor.

"Whilst we welcome this intervention from the government, giving the seriousness of the concerns raised, we believe a police investigation is now necessary.

"To that end, we would urge you to meet with us as soon as possible so that we can discuss these concerns further."

Theresa Hodgkinson, chief executive of Ashfield District Council, said a meeting with government officials on Tuesday had been "extremely constructive".

She added: "We had positive discussion around governance arrangements in place and how the council is committed to delivering best value for residents, following a number of matters raised publicly regarding the authority's governance and decision-making arrangements."

In response to the letter from Anderson and Welsh, a spokesperson for the district council said: "We respect the role of MPs in holding public bodies to account, and welcome appropriate scrutiny as part of the democratic process.

"Our officers provide professional, impartial advice, while elected members are responsible for making key decisions. The council ensures those decisions are lawful and properly governed.

"All contracts are awarded through appropriate procurement and governance processes, ensuring transparency, fairness and compliance with relevant regulations.

"We will continue to engage openly and transparently with the relevant authorities."

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