27/04/10 - 'Independents' register as a Company to dupe residents

Leader of the Council Nigel Holdcroft has accused Independent councillors of not declaring an interest.

Councillors are required to complete a register of member interests which includes an obligation to record any body whose principal functions includes the influence of public opinion or policy, of which they are a member or in a position of general control or management.

Cllrs Mike Assenheim, Mike Stafford, Martin Terry and Ronald Woodley are all company directors of Independent for Southend Ltd, company number 06908575.

This company is registered at Cllr Martin’s address. The company secretary is Evelyn Assenheim, Cllr Assenheim’s wife and Independent Party candidate for West Shoebury.

The business of the company is political as all directors list their job as local councillors. It was incorporated on 18th May 2009, when all of the directors were appointed.

The membership of the company does not appear on the register of member interests at all.

Cllr Holdcroft told Shoebury Conservatives:

“Whilst they may not be members of a political party the reality is that they operate in the same way as the other parties to include a shared website, literature, group meetings and coordinated voting and Martin Terry claims an allowance for leading the group.

“The only difference is that in the absence of any ideological consensus they struggle to agree on any positive policies for the town.

“We now know that in fact the connection of at least these four goes deeper than simply fellow party members but in fact are co directors in a commercial entity.”

The accusation emerged during full council last Thursday, when Cllr Woodley began to ask questions about Conservative councillor’s expenses.

The Liberal Democrats and Independents have been researching for some time expenses claims by Conservative councillors.

Cllr Woodly said: “You claim for coffee on Leigh Broadway and photoshoots. Should this council suspend all expenses pending a review?”

Cllr Holdcroft replied, first referring to Cllr Woodley as “Cllr Longley” by mistake. This was met with laughter in the chamber, following Tory allegations that the Independents are working with the Liberal Democrats to oust the Conservatives.

Cllr Holdcroft explained the information he had about Independents for Southend.

He said: “I give you until 6pm tomorrow before I submit this to the Standards Board.

“Don’t try and hit us with expenses.”

Later in the meeting, Cllr Holdcroft raised the issue again. As Cllr Woodley left the chamber due to an interest in what was being discussed, Cllr Holdcroft asked the Mayor if the other Independents should leave as well, due to their shared directorship of a company.

Cllr Woodley shouted a response at Cllr Holdcroft, calling him a “stupid idiot.” He was cautioned for this outburst by Council chief executive Rob Tinlin. This follows Cllr Woodley's verbal attack on Cllr Tony Cox when he threatened to do him serious damage after it emerged Cllr Woodley's daughter had joined the Lib Dems

Cllr Terry, the leader of the Independent Party, told a local website Councilbust.com:

“The attack was outrageous, it is a pity that Cllr Holdcroft, a so-called professional solicitor, did not do due diligence on this company and the rules before this attempt to smear the Independents in this disgraceful way.”

Cllr Terry has also allegedly showed Councilbust.com a letter which he has sent to the borough solicitor about the matter.

It reads: “This company was established on 16th May 2009.

“There are no articles of association, no shares have been issued, no accounts have been filed and there has been no activity by this company at all since its inception.

“There is no money in this company and it undertakes no business activity. It is merely a name registered at company house.

“It is therefore a dormant company, it has no activity, it plays no role whatsoever, it is not connected in any way to any public, political, community activity undertaken by me or any of the other Members of the Council mentioned at full Council.

“The dormant company is entirely unconnected with the Council and has no impact upon my role as a Member of the Council other than the unnecessary and disgraceful accusations made tonight.

“Therefore, having read the guidance on this it is my conclusion that there is no requirement to register this dormant Company in the Members register.

“Had the company been economically active or active in any way then of course it would have been registered.

“If this changes in the future then I will be delighted to register my interests accordingly.”

Cllr Terry also explained why the company was set up in the first place. He said: “It was set up originally in case anybody else tried to use the name.

“With all the dirty tricks that have been perpetrated against us we thought it a wise thing to do.

To view the full listings of the company and the failure to declare their members interests, please click here