The committee had been asked to rubber stamp a £183,000 investment at Manor Farm, previously approved by the commercial and investment committee. Cllr Hickford was not present.
The recommendation for approval was presented by chief finance officer and deputy chief executive Chris Malyon. No mention was made of the tenant’s name.
The cash was to cover professional fees (architects, structural engineers, building regulations), the build costs and a contingency fund. The council also funded asbestos removal from a barn and repaired it “to maintain its condition”.
Lib Dem leader Cllr Lucy Nethsingha queried the “really shocking lack of transparency about it”.
A county councillor claims he and other members of a committee were threatened with possible legal action if they voted to release a confidential report.
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