Leaders clash as call made for more transparency around Northumberland County Council’s development company

Questions have surrounded the future of Advance Northumberland after the council paused a major restructure of the company’s historic debt.

The Conservative administration blamed changes on the global financial position for the delay. Consultants have been appointed to give guidance on the best way forward.

But speaking at a meeting of the county council, Labour leader Scott Dickinson called for greater transparency around the management of the council-owned development business.

He said: “I’m really disappointed about how closed off Advance Northumberland is from everybody. There are papers at cabinet that are under closed session and group leaders haven’t been told what they’re about.

“You could be signing off millions of pounds for Advance, you could be selling it off – you could be doing whatever you want and we wouldn’t know because it’s a single party shareholder group. This is something I have raised repeatedly.

“I just want you to look at that in a more productive way. You say you have wonderful relations with the other leaders and if that’s the case let’s keep it going, let’s talk about the real, major things.

“This relates to a lot of money, assets and things that the council owns and we can’t see what is going on.”

Advance is owned by the county council, but it moved away from a cross-party board to a single party shareholder group several years ago.

However, council leader Glen Sanderson said: “Occasionally I can’t believe what I’m hearing you say. It is very naughty of you to say that.

“You know perfectly well that you and all the other group leaders are invited to all Advance shareholder meetings and would be allowed to speak if you would come.

“I think we get along as group leaders. There is an element of trust there.

“We have talked about what we’re doing with Advance and we’re holding a members’ forum where you will all be able to ask what you want and get any information you want.”

The members’ forum is expected to be held this month. It will be private, with the press and public excluded from attending.