Council accused of holding back accounts

2:22pm Friday 11th April 2008

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Barnoldswick Town Council has been accused of being secretive over its accounts.

Newly elected independent member Glenn Whittaker claims that despite asking as a councillor and under the Freedom of Information Act, he has not been shown the accounts for a number of town council events.

Coun Whittaker wants to see the accounts from the Festival of Flight, Fireworks Fantasia, Beating the Bounds and Town Criers' competition, which were held before 2006.

"How am I supposed to answer council-related questions from the people who have elected me if there's certain things I'm not allowed to see?" he said.

Coun Whittaker first asked to see the accounts at a meeting of the town council on January 30, before he was elected as a councillor. He has since asked under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and again after he was elected on to the council.

Coun Whittaker raised the issue once more at a recent meeting of the town council.

At the meeting, councillors were asked to vote for or against a motion stating that the council recognised the social and economic value of events such as Beating the Bounds and the Festival of Flight.

"I didn't know what the economic benefits of the events were," Coun Whittaker said.

"How can I vote on an issue when I haven't been given all the information about it?"

As a result, he abstained from the vote.

"I've written to both the acting town clerk and the chairman of the council about it, but haven't even received confirmation that they have got the letters," he said.

Margaret Bell, chairman of Barnoldswick Town Council, said the council was not keeping the accounts from Coun Whittaker.

She has previously written to him to say his request would have to be put down in writing and sent to the town council.

Coun Bell said after that had happened she would be happy to meet with Coun Whittaker and look through past accounts.

"They have been requested under the Freedom of Information Act," said Coun Bell.

"The Act gives a certain number of working days to get the information and by April 25 he will be able to see what he has asked for.

"At the moment, we're still going through all the information."