Government orders review of Ashfield District Council after fraud conviction

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 12:18 · Archive

The government has ordered a rapid assessment of Ashfield District Council following the conviction of its former leader for fraud and tax evasion.

The government has ordered a rapid best value assessment of Ashfield District Council, which is run by Ashfield Independents, after concerns were raised about its leadership and governance. Local government minister Jim McMahon confirmed the decision in a letter to Labour MP Michelle Welsh, who had previously called for government intervention.

The review follows the conviction in September of Jason Zadrozny, the former council leader, on nine counts of fraud and four counts of tax evasion. Zadrozny was accused of setting up a fake heritage group to defraud Nottinghamshire County Council out of thousands of pounds and of failing to pay tax on four rental properties. He is due to be sentenced on 27 November.

Zadrozny resigned as leader the day after his conviction but remained a councillor and was appointed to the authority's planning committee. This decision prompted backlash from some councillors, and a number of Ashfield Independents councillors quit the party and formed a new opposition group, the District Alliance.

In his letter, McMahon said he had asked senior government officials to seek an urgent meeting with the council's chief executive. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is also organising a separate meeting with the external auditor to understand the details of the situation.

Michelle Welsh, the MP for Sherwood Forest, had raised concerns about how the council was being run. Ashfield's other MP, Reform UK's Lee Anderson, has also raised concerns about the authority in Prime Minister's Questions.

How it is being reported

• Sherwood Forest MP welcomes Government review into Ashfield CouncilSherwood Forest MP Michelle Welsh has announced she has received confirmation from the Government that Ashfield Council will be subject to an official Governmental reviewMansfield Chad · 2 Nov, 11:50
• Government orders 'rapid assessment' of Ashfield council after ex-leader's fraud convictionA local government minister has confirmed the news in a letter to local MP, Michelle WelshNottinghamshire Live · 31 Oct, 17:50
• Government orders rapid review into district councilIt comes after concerns were raised by MPs about how Ashfield District Council was being run.BBC Nottingham · 31 Oct, 16:07

In this story: Ashfield District Council · Jason Zadrozny · Jim McMahon · Michelle Welsh · Ashfield Independents · Nottinghamshire · Lee Anderson

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