The Leader of the Official Liberal Democrat Opposition at County Hall, Cllr Brendan Glynane, is calling for the Conservative administration to ensure the investigation in Northamptonshire Economic Partnership (NEP) is not just a whitewash.

Cllr Brendan Glynane said “NEP is receiving £2m of taxpayers money yet does not meet in public, or publish spending over £500, as the Government’s “Transparency Agenda” demands. There have been some serious concerns raised about NEP’s performance and accountability. We know that economic regeneration and creating jobs are crucial in the current situation nationally. We also know that it is equally important that, with such a limited amount of public money available, every penny of Northamptonshire taxpayers cash is spent wisely and efficiently.”

“There are serious issues to investigate. For example, why does NEP meet in private? The public have a right to know what their taxes are being spent on, and how effective that money is. Do we really need to spend hundreds of thousands of local taxpayers cash on an office in Brussels? Is there duplication with the successful South East Midlands LEP, which has brought the Enterprise Zone to Northampton? The investigation must be independent and robust. It can not simply be a whitewash to protect Northamptonshire Conservatives pet project.”