Political leaders in Gedling have completed a brief investigation into the extent of financial interactions with the city council.
It found there was only one current contract – for the running of the cafe at Gedling Country Park – which is profitable, with profit shared 50/50.
Concerns were raised by Conservative councillors about Labour-run Gedling Borough Council potentially being at risk after the collapse of Robin Hood Energy, and they put forward a motion calling for a review into the financial links between the two councils.
However, the motion was withdrawn by the Conservatives before it was debated, because Labour leader John Clarke wrote to all councillors explaining there was only one contract.
Today, deputy leader Michael Payne said the Conservatives had been ‘looking for a conspiracy where there wasn’t one’.
Speaking at the meeting on Wednesday, September 16 to withdraw the motion calling for the investigation, Leader of the Conservatives councillor Michael Adams, who represents the Trent Valley ward, said: “We have to know what risks are coming Gedling’s way.
“Cuts to services are coming in the city, well that means staffing cuts, and if the worst happens and the city has to issue a 114 notice – which means no expenditure is permitted, with the exception of safeguarding vulnerable people and statutory services – who’s going to hire the staff (in Gedling), and what is the contingency in play?
“That’s why it’s key to understand what contracts we have in place, and what services we share
“I was incredibly happy to open my inbox yesterday, and see that the leader had accepted – and not only that but acted – on our motion, and took this as seriously as we did.
“I would like to thank him and the officers for the work they carried out.
“I’m glad you realise the importance of our motion Councillor Clarke.”
The councillor also called for a moratorium on signing any new or pending contracts with the city.
The deputy leader of the council, Labour’s Michael Payne, said: “In spite of Councillor Adams trying to look for a conspiracy where there wasn’t one, and in spite of him trying to make political mischief out of hoping we’d got connections with Robin Hood Energy – we haven’t, and nor have we ever had – we’ve only got one contract with the city council which is a joint operation of the community cafe.
“The information in the letter sent out to councillors was already in the public domain, and was voted on unanimously – including by all Conservative councillors – in July.”
