Council criticised after former leader convicted of fraud joins planning committee
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MPs have called upon the Government to intervene at Ashfield District Council after members appointed the local authority's former leader to the planning committee just a month after he had been convicted of fraud and tax evasion.
Cllr Jason Zadrozny was found guilty last month of nine counts of fraud for collecting funds for a non-existent local amenity group. He was also convicted of tax evasion.
A Crown Prosecution Service statement said he applied for grants using Ashfield’s councillors’ discretionary fund, a small budget allocated to councillors to support community organisations.
“In total he dishonestly secured £6,200 from the local authority,” the CPS said.
Judge David Herbert KC, sitting at Northampton Crown Court, adjourned sentencing but warned Cllr Zadrozny he was at risk of a custodial term. Cllr Zadrozny had denied the offences. His sentencing is scheduled for 27 November.
Cllr Zadrozny stepped down from his position as leader of the council, and as a member of the Ashfield Independents Group following the conviction.
Concerns have now been raised over a decision by members to appoint him to Ashfield's Planning Committee.
Paperwork shows that Cllr Zadrozny was appointed to the committee as a Non-aligned Independent on Monday (12 October).
The move has sparked criticism, with Ashfield's local MP, Lee Anderson, describing it as a "total insult” to his constituents.
Writing to the Secretary of State for Local Government, Angela Rayner, Anderson also raised questions over the council's past planning decisions.
He claimed the council's lack of a local plan has left Ashfield vulnerable to unplanned and inappropriate development, and that some decisions went against residents’ wishes and officers’ advice.
Michelle Welsh, MP for Sherwood, meanwhile said the appointment demonstrated a serious lack of judgment that could undermine public trust.
In a statement, she said: "At a time when the council should be rebuilding public trust, this appointment risks undermining it further. Those who approved it should explain their decision openly to the people they represent.
"I have already called for government intervention, and I remain determined that the Government investigate the council."
She also called upon Cllr Zadrozny to step down as a councillor. Both MPs have called upon Whitehall to investigate and intervene at the local authority.
A spokesperson for Ashfield District Council said: "Decisions about councillor membership, committee appointments and committee structures are matters for elected councillors and are made through the council’s established democratic processes, including formal votes where required.
"Council officers provide professional advice, guidance and administrative support to support these processes. While councillors will consider officer advice as part of their decision-making, they are not required to follow it. The responsibility for making these decisions rests solely with elected councillors, who may reach a different conclusion having considered all relevant information.
"This applies equally to the Chief Executive and the Executive Director for Governance, whose roles are to advise and support the decision-making process. They do not have the authority to make, alter or overturn decisions that have been lawfully made by councillors."
The spokesperson added: "Once a decision has been taken through the proper democratic process, it must be implemented in accordance with the council’s constitution and legal obligations."
Cllr Zadrozny has been approached for comment.
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