NSRP Times Up?

Big question marks now hang over the future of the NSRP, its board and its management as the “Strategic Partnership”, the anchor tenant in the proposed business quarter, falls apart.

It has now been revealed that a report by Tribal was commissioned at the cost of £200,000 into the feasibility of a strategic partnership which was far from convincing in its value for money comparison between the council retaining the services in house or “privatising” them.

Once again this key £200,000 document was kept from the eyes of councillors and the public, prior to the democratically elected members making the decision to support the project.

Worst still is that myself, Cllr Salih and Cllr Kent Baguley were told the project was not viable six months ago by key senior staff from within the NSRP. I revealed this on my blog and I asked the questions at a Cabinet meeting and at a full council meeting, all evidenced and recorded.

It was dismissed as scaremongering, with assurances given by the Managing Director of the NSRP and the Leader of the Council, that the project was still on course and it was full steam ahead.

The one saving grace in this scandal, is the new Chief Executive of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, whose honesty and decisive action is in stark contrast to others involved.

Some will try an say that this is a legacy issue. Clearly, some of those responsible for this complete waste of £1.5m of tax payers money are no longer in power.

Mark Meredith, the former Labour Elected Mayor and his former Labour deputy Mervin Smith, responsible for Regeneration at the time, have their grubby finger all over this. Lets hope that Labour reconsider putting Mervin Smith forward as a candidate if they are serious about standards in political office.

Even though they have gone, many involved remain – most of the management, officers and board remain – changing the chair of the board is little more than window dressing and will not address the fundamental issues that affect all our futures.

Ross Irving, who sat nodding through most of the presentation by the Chief Executive, is in this up to his neck, as he has been in high office on the council with the Elected Mayor and then as leader, and cannot pretend to be an innocent party.

Notable absences from the meeting were most of the Labour Group, including its leader Mohammed Pervez, Meredith’s Deputy an Labour deputy leader, Adrian Knapper – Meredith’s Regeneration Portfolio Holder, who must also share some of the responsibility.

Time an time again the NSRP has been found wanting in its attitude towards openness and transparency to the point that councillors and the public have been misled. Indeed councillors have made important decisions with important information being withheld that may have had a significant impact on those decisions. This is totally unacceptable, and for me borders on criminal.

Without naming names, some individuals bums must be twitching this morning as their position must surely be untenable.

Regeneration is too precious and too important to the future of our city and jobs for our children and young people, to be treated with contempt for democracy and open public scrutiny, that the NSRP and its predecessor has shown.

There is only one way to restore our shattered confidence and that is a complete clearout!

Finally, credit must be given to our new council chief executive, John van de Laarschot, in his bold handling of this matter at such an early stage in his appointment. It is a breath of fresh air and a clear sign that big improvements and changes lie ahead.