Council accused of breaching rules ahead of Darlington by-election
Rival councillors claim the decision by Darlington Borough Councilβs cabinet to consider the local authorityβs role in the Pride In Place programme could influence the result of the key by-election in the Red Hall and Lingfield ward.Β
Red Hall has been chosen as one of the five βleft behindβ communities in the borough, which will receive a share of the funding.Β
Darlington Borough Council disputed the alleged breach of rules and said the report would have been discussed irrespective of the by-election.Β
But Conservative councillors have now signalled their intention to complain to the Local Government Ombudsman.Β
βWe feel there is a clear breach of the rules,β said Councillor Scott Durham, of Brinkburn and Faverdale ward. βCabinet on Tuesday was asked to endorse the allocation of funding. The Labour council has made public decisions made by the neighbourhood board, which are made behind closed doors, away from public glare. The transparency of the decision is welcome but timing is obvious.
βThere are also deep concerns as to why all of the funding is being targeted at Labour-held areas, including Red Hall. There is no data, no detailed analysis for the public to review; decisions are all made behind closed doors – it stinks.β
The local authority spoke to more than 2,000 residents about what can be improved across the borough. They include increasing youth services, more police and community wardens, improving community spaces, more health and employment services, and additional support for disabled residents.Β
The initial regeneration plan has been submitted to the Government after Darlington Borough Council cabinet members endorsed the proposal earlier this week.Β
A Darlington Borough Council spokesperson said: βA complaint was received, alleging that the local authority had breached rules relating to the pre-election period. It was referred to the council’s monitoring officer, who considered the complaint and responded on November 28.β