Questions about how £1.2m of council cash has been spent led to serious allegations being made at Kirklees Cabinet.
The Able 2 environmental project in Heckmondwike has been scaled back due to funding issues, but a tip-off after recent press coverage led to a councillor saying he’s made a complaint to West Yorkshire Police.
Clr Martyn Bolt, Mirfield Conservative, attended Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting and said the content of an email from someone connected to the site made damning allegations that needed investigating.
Cabinet were considering whether to invest £50,000 into the site, near the Ponderosa Farm, off Smithies Lane in Heckmondwike, which would mean Dewsbury and District Junior Angling Club could use the fishing lake.
But Clr Bolt said the wider project needed reviewing saying: “I’d like to see a review, district audit or investigation about where things have gone.
“We need answers to the questions. Has £2.1m of scrap metal gone missing as a tip-off indicates.”
Clr David Sheard interrupted Clr Bolt and told him that if he had evidence of serious allegations he should report it to the police.
He added: “It doesn’t change the decision we’re here making today. It is worthwhile getting a report back but if you’ve got a tip-off that someone’s stolen metal it’s worth reporting.”
Clr David Sheard said “belittling” the work done did no-one any favours, adding: “Unfortunately other bodies have withdrawn the funding for the scheme so it could not continue.
“There is potential for the future. It’s a pity the site would have gone through if the Secretary of State hadn’t decided to get himself involved.”
But Clr Bolt added that he and his Conservative colleagues left a viable project behind that was “stand-alone” and not dependent on cash from outside bodies.
The Examiner has asked West Yorkshire Police if it is investigating the allegation and is waiting to hear back.
Cabinet agreed to work with the angling club.
