City developer cuts ties to consultancy
Dec 29 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal
A CITY developer has decided to drop all contact with a Newcastle councillor and the consultancy company caught up in a council investigation.
Liberal Democrat councillor Greg Stone is at the centre of a council investigation into a document which appeared to show a company he worked for listing likely voting intentions of a city planning committee. Members of any planning group are forbidden from judging an application if they are known to have expressed views on the item.
Last week The Journal revealed complaints had emerged over the document, put together by Indigo Public Affairs, which opposition councils suggested had been compiled with help from Mr Stone.
Indigo have denied any conflict of interest, saying Mr Stone played “no active role” in putting the document together.
The company had been working on behalf of Metnor, a development company looking to win planning permission for student accommodation in the Shieldfield area. But because of the ongoing investigation, and “the negative publicity”, Metnor have now said they will be avoiding working with Indigo and Mr Stone.
Last night a Metnor spokesman said: “We do not need to use this company, there are plenty of others out there and, as a result of what has come to light, I think we will not be using Indigo again.
“The view was taken that we do not need that sort of publicity.”
The decision has come as no surprise to opposition Labour councillors, who say the ruling Lib Dem group should “act now to reassure the public there is no conflict of interest here”.
Regeneration committee chair Nick Kemp said: “I think it is very unsurprising that the company has decided to no longer deal with Indigo. There are questions that clearly still need answering regarding potential conflict of interest and transparency.” The issue of Greg Stone’s involvement in the planning process was also raised at a council meeting on Friday, at which Labour group leader Nick Forbes called for an “urgent review of any planning decisions on which Indigo acted on behalf of developers”.
Coun Stone said he does not wish to comment on the matter while the council continues to investigate the document.
Indigo have previously said they have “a strict code of conduct and internal procedures” that should ensure “that any perceived conflict of interests are managed effectively”.
The Journal contacted Indigo to discuss Metnor’s decision but staff at the company’s London headquarters did not offer any comment.
