LAND ROW ROCKS TORIES

by ANDY DONE-JOHNSON

BURTON Town Hall's ruling Conservative group was today embroiled in a 'possibly illegal' land sale row.

Controversy erupted after a Government watchdog completed a probe into the sale of publicly owned land in Uttoxeter town centre.

The Audit Commission declared that an 'unofficial agreement' between Uttoxeter Town Council and developer Taylor Wimpey 'could be illegal'.

The long-running controversy heated up on Tuesday, when property developer and leading East Staffordshire Tory councillor Malcolm Barrett announced that he was belatedly 'declaring an interest' in the sale, and would take no further part in discussions.

Councillor Barrett had previously denied having an interest in the deal, and rejected calls to distance himself from negotiations.

The announcement came shortly after a behind-closed-doors meeting between Burton Town Hall's top Tory, Alex Fox, and party colleagues in Uttoxeter - and two weeks after Councillor Barrett and Uttoxeter Mayor Pauline Morrison had thrown a rival property developer out of the town hall building when he tried to discuss a potential offer with other members.

With one former Tory Mayor of Uttoxeter having already quit the party because of the controversy, the Conservative group was dealt a further blow when a second councillor declared that she, too, was leaving the party over the deal.

Rival Labour politicians are now calling for the entire town council to resign as the controversy heightens. The town hall site, which includes the former Uttoxeter Citizens' Advice Bureau building, has been disused for two years but is now subject to an 'unofficial agreement' involving its sale to house builder Taylor Wimpey.

Councillor Barrett was unavailable for comment yesterday, but speaking at the Tuesday night meeting, he said: "Due to the developments of the last two weeks, I feel I need to err on the side of caution.

"I will now be declaring an interest on all decisions regarding the land at the rear of the town hall.

"I cannot put my reputation at risk in respect of any personal attacks that may be made as a result of my interests in this town.

"I am, therefore, resigning from the working group until issues about this land are resolved. I will not risk being constantly accused of having a foot in both camps."

Councillor Fox, who had earlier refused to comment on the reasons for the behind-closed-door talks, told The Mail: "Declarations of interest from elected members of councils are a personal matter - they have to make up their own minds about it. Malcolm did the right thing.

"The meeting was to discuss the overall regeneration strategy and, because he's a developer, he declared his interest."

In a separate development, Tory Heath ward councillor Nancy Fielding-Stubbs has also joined Councillor Cathy Graham in quitting the party over the deal.

She said: "I can no longer serve the Heath ward to the best effect, while held under the constraints of a political group.

"The pressures put upon me and my conscience to vote in the manner determined by such a group is, I believe, not in the best interest of the electorate."

The two rebel politicians will remain on the council as independents, despite calls from the Tory ranks for them to step down from the council.

At the full council meeting, a letter from Julie Talbot of the Audit Commission was also read out, expressing concerns over the Taylor Wimpey deal.

She questioned whether the authority had secured the best financial deal for the town in the land sale - which it is legally required to do.

She also raises concerns that dealings may not have been 'open and transparent', stating that not all affected councillors have 'been in receipt of the relevant information'.

The letter comes after councillors were accused of ignoring potential bidders and failing to carry out an independent valuation of the land.

Labour politicians have been quick to capitalise on the latest crisis.

Councillor Peter Beresford, a Labour cabinet member on Staffordshire County Council, said: "I think the whole council should resign and place this matter before the electorate of Uttoxeter, to see if this is how they want their councillors to perform.

"They should do it on the basis that they do not have the confidence of the electorate.

"I feel that the way this has been conducted is not an appropriate way in which democratically elected representatives should conduct themselves.

"It's an utter disgrace and seems to be shrouded in mystery and of 'deals done behind closed doors'."