Hucknall MP calls for police investigation into serious Ashfield Council allegations
Hucknall MP Michelle Welsh has pressed the Government for urgent action over serious allegations concerning Ashfield Council, calling for an independent police investigation to establish the facts and ensure accountability.
The Prime Minister has said the Government is ‘monitoring’ the situation at the council after Ashfield MP Lee Anderson (Ref) claimed during Prime Minister’s Questions on October 28 that the authority was being ‘run by criminals’ and asked the Government to send in commissioners.
Ms Welsh (Lab) has also been pressing the Department from Local Government about the about serious concerns she has raised about the leadership, governance and conduct of council, which has been under the spotlight since its’ former leader, Coun Jason Zadrozny, was appointed to the planning committee, just days after being found guilty in court of fraud and tax evasion.
Last week, Jim McMahon MP (Lab), Under-Secretary of State for Local Government confirmed to her in a letter that he has instructed Government officials to carry out a rapid Best Value Assessment of the council.
Speaking in Parliament on November 2, Ms Welsh thanked the Government for its intervention but warned that further action is needed to protect residents and prevent any further inappropriate decisions, particularly in relation to planning.
She raised concerns about planning decisions allegedly taken against the advice of professional officers, applications linked to a family connected to the council, and the scrapping of the local plan, leaving communities vulnerable to speculative development, including on green belt land.
She also challenged the decision to appoint the Coun Zadrozny to the planning committee following his conviction.
During the exchange, Michelle asked Mr McMahonn to confirm what urgent action was being taken, what further safeguards could be introduced to prevent inappropriate planning decisions, and whether the severity of the allegations now warranted referral to the police for an independent investigation.
Responding, Mr McMahon confirmed that the Government’s intervention was progressing, with officials already in discussions with the council’s chief executive Theresa Hodgkinson.
He also confirmed that Government officials would be contacting the council’s external auditor to establish further details about the issues raised.
Ms Welsh also confirmed that she had spoken directly with Angela Rayner MP (Lab), Housing Communities and Local Government Secretary, reinforcing the need for a thorough and independent investigation and urging that every concern raised is properly examined.
She said: “This is a significant step forward, and I welcome the Government’s intervention following the representations I have made over the last two months.
“But let me be clear – the people of Hucknall have been badly let down, and they deserve answers.
"The allegations are extremely serious.
"Residents need to have confidence that decisions made by their council are proper, transparent and in their best interests.
"I want to see the evidence properly examined, those responsible held to account, and urgent steps taken to prevent inappropriate decisions.
“I have made clear to the Government that I believe the seriousness of these allegations warrants an independent police investigation.
"I also want to see planning decisions halted while the assessment takes place and the local plan examination accelerated.
"I will continue to press ministers until residents get the transparency, accountability and answers they deserve.”