Councillors say the matter of contracts issued to outgoing leader Michael Jones’s physio ‘is not over’ after his resignation yesterday.
Labour councillors have tabled two motions to be heard at the full Council meeting next week relating to contracts worth up to £156,000 issued to Core Fit, run by Michael Jones’s physiotherapist Amanda Morris.
All three contracts were awarded without the normal tendering process, so other firms had no chance to take the deal.
Michael Jones said he played no part in awarding the contracts but emails he wrote suggest he lobbied on behalf of Core Fit.
Mayor Hilda Gaddum said he ‘misled’ the council and pressure mounted for him to quit.
When he resigned as leader at a press conference yesterday, he said it was nothing to do with Core Fit and instead was because fellow Conservatives had ‘knives out for him’ and he wanted to stop in-fighting in the party.
When asked about allegations of bullying from council staff, he said there had never been any complaints of bullying made against him.
He also denied having a personal relationship with Amanda Morris, stating that she works with him as his personal trainer.
But the Labour group, and some Conservative party members, are still looking for answers.
Motions on the agenda for the full Council meeting call for an external investigation into allegations of bullying and favourable treatment for Core Fit, and for an internal audit report on the matter to be debated at full Council.
Coun Janet Jackson, Labour councillor for Macclesfield Central, said: “Michael Jones has done the right thing resigning, but I don’t see how he can say it’s nothing to do with Core Fit. Procedures weren’t followed. We are calling for an investigation into the whole Core Fit issue and allegations of bullying.
“He has stood down as leader but I’m concerned he’s still a councillor. This is not over. The truth will be revealed.”
Coun Jones admitted lobbying for Core Fit and said if he had his time again he would ‘try even harder and stronger’ for the project.
When asked about having a personal relationship with Amanda Morris he said: “I’m very fond of anyone who helps me lose six and a half stone. We have a very close relationship, she’s awesome, she’s the best physio, a great trainer and had worked with me to look like this.
“She is absolutely not my partner.”
Chief executive of Cheshire East Council, Mike Suarez, released a statement stating again he is satisfied with the council’s audit.
He said: “Whilst these are all important matters and can be responded to in due course, the Council has not yet reported its internal audit findings to the Council’s appropriate audit and governance committee.
“It would therefore be inappropriate to continue to answer questions in a piecemeal way until the audit process is complete and has been presented to members of this committee.
“It is clear that lessons can be learned from this and the Council will address these matters fully.
“As I have previously stated, I am satisfied the internal audit work has shown no unlawful expenditure or breach of EU procurement rules.”
The Audit and Governance Committee meets today, 2pm, at Westfields, Sandbach.
