Investigations into Cheshire East Council discontinued

Two investigations into Cheshire East Council have been discontinued.

They covered the award of a contract related to a fitness company in 2015, and £70,000 grant funding for a primary school car park in 2016.

In a statement released by the council today (June 12), council chief executive Lorraine O’Donnell, said: “We understand that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has determined that there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction, with regard to the investigation into the award of a contract related to a fitness company in 2015.

“We note that the CPS has identified issues in relation to procurement.

“The council will now review the findings and take all appropriate steps in due course.

“As recognised in the recent corporate peer challenge report, the council has made significant progress since 2015 and we will use any learning as we continue on our improvement journey.”

She added: “We also understand that the separate investigation into grant funding for a primary school car park has also concluded, with no further action to be taken.

“Cheshire East Council continues to cooperate fully with the police in other matters referred to the police for investigation.”

Police launched a criminal probe into alleged misconduct in a public office following the award of contracts worth more than £150,000 by Cheshire East Council to Nantwich-based Core Fit, a business run by the then council leader, Cllr Michael Jones’s personal phyiotherapist.

In December 2015, Cllr Jones announced he would stand down as council leader amid political pressure over the matter.

The probe into grant funding centred on Berkeley Academy in Wistaston, Crewe.

A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said: “Cheshire Constabulary has been conducting a complex investigation into an allegation of misconduct and fraud relating to the awarding of a contract by Cheshire East Council to a fitness company.

“A file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who considered this in some detail and advised that, although there were issues in relation to procurement, there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of a conviction against any individual.

“The CPS advice concerns only the above fraud allegation.

“A further five allegations referred to police by Cheshire East Council remain under investigation.

“Meanwhile, a separate investigation into misconduct relating to grant funding for a primary school car park has also concluded, with no further action to be taken.”