Eden District Council

by ian on 06/03/10

British National Party force
INDEPENDENT REVIEW FOR PENRITH SQUARES SCHEME



After the intensive campaigning on behalf of the people of Penrith the British National Party has forced the Audit Commission to complete a review into the abysmal way in which Eden District Council manipulated the figures of the consultation into New Squares and the proposed Sainsburys development.

AN independent review is to be commissioned into Eden councils handling of the 80 million New Squares scheme.

The project to rejuvenate Penrith town centre fell apart amid a funding crisis in October 2008, and a hole remains in the centre of town from where work had already taken place.

Now the Audit Commission has been asked to complete a review into the councils handling of the scheme, which will be complete in April. Costing 11,000, it will look at decisions made by the council on the New Squares, the role of Edens external advisors and the advice they provided, the current strategy for the scheme, the councils project management arrangements to deliver the scheme, and engagement with members as the scheme developed.

Eden has at times come under fire for its handling of the New Squares scheme, criticism which grew in the wake of a decision to reject plans by Sainsburys to restart the scheme because it would fall foul of European procurement law.

In particular, people who complained about secrecy around the scheme will be interested in the reviews findings.

The Audit Commission will review all the documentation relating to the project, look at reports provided to members on the scheme as it developed, interview key officers and members, and contact the councils external advisors.



Following the decision to turn Sainsburys away in November, the New Squares scheme is currently in limbo.

The National Australia Bank had a three-month option to finish the scheme in its original form, which has now expired.

Sainsburys now has a month in which to step in, although they are not expected to come forward either.

When that period expires in the middle of next month, the council can begin to look at regaining the lease on the New Squares land, and putting together a new project.

Your North West MEP's were voted in to listen to your voices and act upon them !

Well here is the proof !

Keith Phillips - Eden District Council - The AxeMan cometh !

by ian on 06/03/10

EDEN LEADER WIELDS DICTATORS AXE AFTER NO VOTE TO SHARED SERVICES

EDEN Council's ruling cabinet has been thrown into turmoil after leader Keith Phillips this afternoon sacked three of its portfolio holders.

Bert Richardson (Con., Hesket), Michael Tonkin (Non-Aligned Independent, Morland) and Mary Robinson (Ind., Kirkoswald) spoke of their "shock" and "despair" at being thrown out by Mr. Phillips because they had voted in line with an amendment which was put before a full meeting of the council last Thursday.

They voted against a proposal for a shared management/delivery alliance with South Lakeland District Council and instead called on councillors to agree a vision for a shared services agreement with a partner that satisfied the criteria of a report which had been prepared.

"Bullying is alive and well and is living in Eden District Council," said Mrs. Robinson. They had been asked to resign under the constitutional arrangements of the council and when they declined to do so, Mr. Phillips decided to dismiss them. He said: "The executive had agreed our approach in April last year and the council has supported in principle the agreement to progress the shared management/delivery alliance with South Lakeland District Council.

"The executive operates on the collective responsibility principle and their decision not to support me at the council meeting meant that their position was no longer tenable in the executive. I would like to thank them for all their work on behalf of the council." He added that he would continue working with the remaining members of the executive and seek to appoint replacements in the next few days.

"We have some difficult decisions ahead and it is important the executive is united in taking these key decisions forward. I am determined that Eden continues to deliver its priorities and want to support people who can help me achieve this," said Mr. Phillips. Under existing executive leader arrangements, the business of the council can continue as normal with the remaining executive members having temporary authority until the next council meeting. A SPECIAL Eden Council meeting, on Thursday, 4th March, has been called to consider two developments with regard to the Penrith New Squares scheme.

The council will be considering a "proposal through the liquidator from an interested developer who would want to take the scheme forward". Alongside this, the formal step-in arrangements with Sainsbury’s have commenced and the company has until 10 March to elect to retain its interest in the site. Sainsbury’s has indicated it is interested in stepping into the original scheme with a 55,000sq ft supermarket but requires further time to address a number of the legal and financial issues. Therefore, councillors will be asked to consider whether to extend the time limit on the company.

"The officers have continued to work with interested parties on the New Squares development alongside preparing the process for a new start, and I am delighted that there is continued interest in the development in Penrith," said Eden District Council leader Keith Phillips. "Members will now look in detail at the proposals and then agree a way forward." The councils chief executive, Kevin Douglas, said: "At the special council meeting there will be two reports on the agenda. One will be in the public part and this will give a broad outline of the situation which the council is now to consider."

"It will then be necessary to consider a more detailed report with the press and public excluded. Obviously these negotiations are at a very delicate stage and have commercially sensitive implications for both parties which need to be treated in accordance with the councils constitution. "We are very much aware of the continued public interest in the scheme and will keep the public informed of the outcomes of the process as it develops."

Chris Davidsons Priorities

If elected, I would work to:

Chris Davidson Supports Our Troops, Bring Them Home ...Now !



and don't forget

by ian on april 2, 2009

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