Role of former council chief is questioned

Sep 27 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

A FORMER council boss who started a business with a prominent councillor last night claimed they were the victims of a “vicious” political battle.

Labour councillors on Durham City Council are to question the role of their former chief executive Brian Spears and his partner Carol Woods in setting up a consultancy business to advise local authorities.

Ms Woods is the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat controlled city council and a member of Durham County Council.

Labour members have tabled a list of questions about the consultancy to be asked at a council meeting on Monday.

But last night Mr Spears, who registered his business at the home address of Ms Woods in Sherburn Village, Durham, earlier this year, hit back, saying he was “hounded” from office by Labour party members. He said: “It is a matter of public record that, as chief executive of the city council, I was a strong critic of Labour plans to impose a unitary council on Durham. This led to a vicious campaign against me, ultimately resulting in my decision to take early retirement and voluntary redundancy.

“In preparation for that redundancy I set up a company which began trading in June – two months after I left my position at the council. Given these facts, the latest attacks by the local Labour party can only be viewed as a naked attempt to besmirch my reputation.”

The Durham City Council minority Labour group issued the following statement yesterday: “Labour councillors have submitted a multitude of questions for the next full council meeting to the leader, deputy leader and all portfolio holders of Durham City Council regarding what they knew about the deputy leader’s links to a local government consultancy headed by former chief executive of Durham City Council Brian Spears.

“According to the documents on file at Companies House, Sherburn Consultants (Company No. 6508291) lists Mr Brian Spears as its sole director and shareholder and Coun Carol Woods as the company secretary. Both are also listed on the website as consultants for the company.

“Sherburn Consultants describes itself as a company providing ‘a range of services to local government, housing associations, developers and public service organisations’.

“Documents from Companies House show that the company was incorporated on Feb 19, 2008, over six weeks before Mr Spears retired as chief executive from Durham City Council. Coun Woods is still Deputy Leader of the city council.”

Durham City Labour councillor Paul Taylor said: “Labour members will be taking the opportunity to ask Coun Woods for an explanation and evidence of steps she has taken to ensure that this does not create a conflict of interest with her role as deputy leader of the city council.”

Coun Woods said last night: “Questions have been submitted to council regarding my position as secretary of a local business and I intend to make clear the following facts in response to those questions.

“I am an unpaid secretary for a local business which is registered at Companies House. This information has been in the public domain for months, not only on the company’s website but also on my Declaration of Members’ Interest as published by the council.

“I have not received a penny for the work I have done for this start-up company.

“The company has never applied for any tenders or work from Durham City Council or any company Durham City Council has any interest in. It also has no intention of ever doing so.

“These facts quite clearly illustrate that I have behaved impeccably in relation to this matter.”