UKIP GRANT FACES CHOP
Grant given to private company in
Newsham faces calls for ‘transparent’ investigation
The business which provides mixed martial arts training for
youngsters received grants totalling £3,000 for the mini-bus despite there
being concerns that taxpayer’s money was being used to fund a private, profit
making business.
Now Labour are calling for a ‘transparent’ investigation into
how taxpayer’s cash has been allocated to the business called ‘Millenium (sic
Millennium) Martial Arts’ from the town council which is cutting services in
this year’s budget by over £37,000.
The company is co-owned by Mr Tony Cunningham who was also a
signatory to UKIP nomination papers in last year’s local elections. The company
is registered in Blyth. This has led to a charge of ‘hypocrisy’ being laid at
the door of UKIP councillor and PPC Barry Elliott who has mounted a vocal
campaign for councillors to spend their allocation in their own ward. Elliott
represents Newsham ward yet the company is registered in Blyth.
Newsham ward Labour
councillor for NCC Deidre Campbell said
“This is a grant to a private company which is seeking to
make a profit from its business yet it seems to have been paid out at a time
when the town council is cutting grants and projects by over £37,000 including
£11,000 from community grants. At a time when cash is tight and many worthy
community projects are feeling the squeeze UKIP have to answer why they think
backing a business idea by their supporter’s ranks higher than supporting other
projects? Councillor Elliott has been very vocal calling for councillors to
spend their money in their ward yet now we find he’s backing a private, profit
making business from Blyth when he represents Newsham. The town council needs
to explain why, in an open and transparent way, taxpayer’s cash is being spent
to prop up local businesses? That’s not what local people would expect.”
Notes
MILLENNIUM MARTIAL ARTS
Registered Office 4-6 KING STREET BLYTH NORTHUMBERLAND NE24
1LY
