Council upset parishes over area partnership

Angry parish councillors in Northumberland have accused the county council of reneging on a promise to consult them properly over the establishment of a key umbrella organisation.

A cluster of parishes claim they were not allowed effective input to the process which led to the formation of the North Northumberland Area Partnership (NNAP) – which covers from Morpeth to Berwick.

They say the NNAP board only includes one parish council representative for its huge geographical area. In addition, the parish councils claim that NNAP chairman – Brenda Fordy-Scott – was not eligible for the post.

They allege there has been ‘unethical’ behaviour by the county council during the formation of the NNAP.

The parish councils – in Longhirst, Widdrington, Widdrington Station and Stobswood, East Chevington, Cresswell and Ulgham – set out their grievances in a formal complaint submitted to County Hall last November.

Now they claim it has not been properly investigated.

The NNAP – part of the wider Northumberland Strategic Partnership — comprises representatives from agencies such as councils, police, NHS, business and the voluntary sector, and helps shape policy aimed at benefiting local communities.

Longhirst Parish Council chairman Bob Jackson said: “In 2008 the county council said all partners would be consulted about the formation of the NNAP.

Our parish councils simply didn’t get the opportunity to participate.

“As it is, with only one representative on the board, we get no information as to what it is doing. It is impossible for one parish councillor to cover that whole area.”

A county council spokeswoman said: “We are aware that there were some administrative oversights which took place during the local government transition period and have apologised for these.

“All issues regarding the area partnerships have been debated openly and fully, and all decisions taken with the full knowledge of all parties concerned.

“We are confident we have fully investigated the complaints and issues raised by Mr Jackson and responded appropriately. We have suggested that if he is still not happy, then he takes up the matter with the Local Government Ombudsman.

“The area partnerships are currently undergoing a full, independent review.”

Source: Widdrington.Journallive.co.uk