Police investigations into alleged corruption at Stoke on Trent City Council – including the arrest today of Stoke’s elected mayor - were sparked by an internal report into the aborted sale of a leisure centre, LocalGov.co.uk has learned.
Senior sources involved in the case have revealed that a 2008 report into the proposed sale of the Dimensions leisure centre, undertaken by Steve Wilds, the then acting director of social services, led Stoke’s lawyers to refer the issue to the police.
Stoke’s mayor, Mark Meredith, was arrested on 6 March on suspicion of corruption in public office. The leader of the Conservative group at the council, Roger Ibbs, was arrested for the same reason earlier this week and immediately stood down as the Cabinet member for children’s services.
While LocalGov.co.uk understands the police investigation was sparked by Mr Wilds’ report, sources said neither arrest is directly linked to Stoke’s aborted leisure centre deal. But it is clear that Mr Wilds’ review sparked legal interest in the council’s activities.
Police have spoken to senior officials at the council as part of their inquiry. Last summer, officials drafted plans to sell the leisure centre to Water World, a company owned by local businessman Mo Chaudry. The deal was never completed.
Senior sources involved in the case have revealed that a 2008 report into the proposed sale of the Dimensions leisure centre, undertaken by Steve Wilds, the then acting director of social services, led Stoke’s lawyers to refer the issue to the police.
Stoke’s mayor, Mark Meredith, was arrested on 6 March on suspicion of corruption in public office. The leader of the Conservative group at the council, Roger Ibbs, was arrested for the same reason earlier this week and immediately stood down as the Cabinet member for children’s services.
While LocalGov.co.uk understands the police investigation was sparked by Mr Wilds’ report, sources said neither arrest is directly linked to Stoke’s aborted leisure centre deal. But it is clear that Mr Wilds’ review sparked legal interest in the council’s activities.
Police have spoken to senior officials at the council as part of their inquiry. Last summer, officials drafted plans to sell the leisure centre to Water World, a company owned by local businessman Mo Chaudry. The deal was never completed.
