TAKING A BASHING
May 2016 Chemical firm reveal they want to build huge power plant November 2016 They treat council boss to posh party and hotel stay January 2017 Council push the plans through..despite experts’ fears
A council boss accepted hospitality from a chemical company during their multi-million-pound planning application, it can be revealed.
Falkirk Council leader Craig Martin was a guest of CalaChem at the five- star Grosvenor Hotel in London while their bid to have the facility greenlit was being considered.
The firm were given the go-ahead to build the project on their massive Grangemouth site – despite objections from residents, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and Friends of the Earth.
Martin attended the annual dinner of the powerful Chemical Industry Association (CIA).
Ex-Labour councillor Martin, who was also a planning committee member, was photographed at the blue chip event in Park Lane in November with CalaChem managing director Neil Partlett. Martin also attended it in 2015. SNP MSP Angus McDonald yesterday called for an investigation by Falkirk Council and watchdog body the Standards Commission into the former leader.
Tickets for the prestigious dinner are £ 300 per person and rooms in the Grosvenor start at £ 390 a night.
The evening started off with a champagne reception at 7pm and finished at 1am. On both occasions, CalaChem paid the cost of his hotel stay and his table.
CalaChem submitted their planning application to Falkirk Council in May 2016.
In the week he attended the dinner last November, Martin, a Network Rail operations manager, announced he was standing down as a councillor–and not seeking re- election in April – to spend more time with his family. He was replaced by SNP councillor Cecil Meiklejohn as leaderr last month.
McDonald said he hass written to Falkirk Council il chief executive Mary y Pitcai thly about the e CalaChem hospitality but ut has had no response.
He added: “I’m concerneded there may have been a breach of standards and thehe councillors’ code of conduct.ct.
“There needs to be an investigation.
“We’ve contacted the e standards commissionerr just to get some guidance.” ”
Local object ors contacted McDonald in March to raise their concerns about Martin’s five-star night out.
CalaChem’s application was passed by Falkirk Council in January using special delegated powers instead of being put to a councillors’ vote.
SEPA objected to the plant last July – but withdrew objections after CalaChem agreed to certain safety conditions.
CalaChem were formed in 2010 and used to be part of ICI.
They provide services to the agrochemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Martin was leader of Falkirk Council for seven years and a councillor for 20 years.
He admitted attending both dinners in 2015 and 2016 and claimed he was there as a personal friend of CalaChem MD Partlett.
Martin denied knowing about the CalaChem application.
He added: “I paid my way and bought a round of drinks. I’ve done nothing wrong.”
Falkirk Council declined to comment on Martin’s attendance at the CIA dinner.
Par t let t , said : “We have extended an invitation to attend the annual dinner to either the council’s chief executive, or the council leader every year for several years.
“The invitation last year has nothing to do with any planning application.”
i bought a round of drinks. i have done nothing wrong