Former Macclesfield MP Sir Nicholas Winterton has called on the council to release more information about the Lyme Green scandal.
Sir Nick described Cheshire East’s current stance of withholding the entire Independent report into the fiasco as unsatisfactory.
And he revealed he has spoken to senior figures at the authority, urging them to publish as much as is legally possible.
More than £800,000 of taxpayer’s money was wasted during the botched bid to build a waste transfer station in south Macclesfield in 2011.
But the authority has so far refused to publish any of the Designated Independent Persons report, which cost the authority £225,000.
Speaking to the Express, Sir Nick said residents were entitled to more information than they have currently been given.
He said: “This is a very serious matter. Three leading officers of the council have stepped down, which indicates just how serious it is.
“This has been dragging on and people have been deeply concerned. And they will continue to ask questions. Even councillors themselves are apparently not aware of all the facts.
“So I think as much as possible should be released in order to bring some closure.
“The only reservation I would have is that parts of the report which relate to individuals could cause legal problems. But I think as much information as possible should be released. And one should air on the side of transparency.
“After all, this report has cost the public a great deal of money and they have a right to have as much information as possible.”
The Tory veteran served as the town’s MP for nearly 40 years until he retired in 2010, and was knighted for his services to Parliament. He is also a Freeman of the Borough and remains well respected in local politics.
Sir Nick said he had made his views on the subject clear to the council’s hierarchy.
“I attend a number of council events and functions and I have both indirectly, and directly, made my my views known.”
Council leader, Michael Jones, defended the decision not to publish the report at the latest meeting of the full council. He said: “What we are doing is in the best interests of this council, probity and residents. We cannot publish something which would leave us open to a substantial legal challenge.
“As promised, an extensive summary will be coming out as well as a clear redefinition of the money lost at Lyme Green.”
He also accused political opponents of using the issue as a means to criticise the council, and said: “I wish it could be published as it would show we have used the report clearly to turn this council round in the right direction and have reacted more strongly than you could have dreamed.”
The Express launched a campaign to release the independent report last month.
We have now taken the issue to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) after Cheshire East Council rejected a request for the report’s release under the Freedom of Information Act.
The ICO has acknowledged our appeal, and in an email said: “Your case has been allocated to one of our Complaints Resolution teams who will contact you as soon as possible to explain how your complaint will be progressed.”
