COUNCIL CLEARED OF DOING WRONG

Police and auditors say no ‘corruption’

A TOWN council has been cleared by police, auditors and an ombudsman after a councillor accused it of “corruption”.

Holyhead Town Council has been exonerated after former councillor Shaun Redmond accused it of trying to silence him by holding a meeting “behind closed doors” to discuss public criticisms he had made about the authority.

But North Wales Police has now confirmed no evidence of any criminality had been identified, as did The Wales Audit Office and the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales who both say they consider the matter closed.

Holyhead Town council clerk Cliff Everett said the decision to clear the council of any criminality means they can get on with their day to day work “without distraction”.

He said: “It’s been a very hard year for elected members and staff while these allegations have been out there.

“We want to get on with doing positive things for the community and not deal with the sort of allegations we have over the past 12 months or so.

“The ombudsman, Wales Audit Office and North Wales Police have confirmed there’s been no criminality or corruption despite allegations made in public by a member of this council.”

Cllr Jeff Evans said: “I’m pleased there’s finally a conclusion to this saga and that members and staff have now been exonerated of wrongdoing.”

Mr Redmond had alleged the town council was “sinking into the abyss” and that a member of the public was threatened with legal action if they did not desist their criticism of the body.

He also accused individual councillors of making decisions without referring to others, of failing to acknowledge complaints and of a lack of consultation with the local community.

Last week town council members called on Mr Redmond to apologise for his allegations.

But Mr Redmond told the Mail he felt the Wales Audit Office’s findings published earlier this year had “vindicated” his view.

He said: “Whilst the town council may have no criminality issues to answer for, no-one has yet apologised for wrongdoings which has been proved by auditors.”

In July of this year, a 12-page report on the conduct of Holyhead Town Council saw the Wales Audit Office make six recommendations, including changes to how it considers smaller planning applications

The town council promised to act upon the findings.