Coppergate II reports probe

The allegations, made in a letter sent to the Evening Press, state that reports made by City of York Council on aspects of the £60 million proposal have not been noted.

It follows an earlier request by Liberal Democrat leader Steve Galloway for a guarantee that all information had been seen before the decision was made. He was given that assurance.

Last night, Coun Ann Reid, the Liberal Democrats' transport and planning spokeswoman in York, demanded that the council act to confirm the letter's accusations were false.

She said at last night's full council meeting: "Bearing in mind that the question was asked at the beginning of the meeting about the publication of all relevant consultation and documents, I would like to ask, in the light of continued allegations that not all were reported, will the chairman (of the planning and transport committee) ensure that all were made public?"

She was told that City of York Council's chief executive, David Atkinson, had personally promised to investigate the claims.

Executive member for planning and transport, Coun David Merrett, replied: "The issue that was raised at November's meeting has resurfaced and, as soon as I was advised of that, I spoke to the chief executive and asked him to advise on appropriate action to take.

"When I have his formal response on that, I will make sure that all members are advised."

The letter writer claims to be a council officer, but gives no suggestion of identity. The areas covered by the allegedly missing reports have not been identified.

Coun Galloway today urged anybody with more information to contact the Evening Press.

He said: "I had heard rumours of this before the decision was made in November, and I asked for guarantees that we had seen all the information. I was given a definite guarantee that we had.

"I have got to believe that I am being told the truth and I would be extremely disappointed if that was proved not to be the case.

"I would certainly like to know if anybody inside, or even outside, the council can tell me anything more about this. I would support somebody getting in touch with me or the Evening Press to give more details."

The Coppergate II development will transform land surrounding Clifford's Tower and in Piccadilly into 250,000 square feet of retail space, restaurants, offices, flats, leisure facilities and a multi-storey car park.

It was passed despite huge public protest and an alternative application to use land around Clifford's Tower as a park.

It now has to go before Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who has the final say.

Philip Crowe, of York Tomorrow which made the application to turn the site into parkland, said: "York Tomorrow has asked the council for copies of all internal reports, but we have yet to have a response. We will be contacting officers again."

Mr Atkinson said today: "These are very serious and unsubstantiated allegations about senior council staff.

"The council takes very seriously any allegations of substance about conduct within the authority, but not a shred of evidence is being put forward by the author of this anonymous letter - who could be anyone inside or outside of

the authority.

"Surprisingly, no-one else has put to the council any evidence of misconduct or malpractice by council officers over the Coppergate or any other issue.

"City of York Council is committed to conducting the planning process in full accordance with the law and is equally committed to ensuring that the process is open.

"The council is proud of its track record of probity and high ethical standards.

"However, we are not complacent and we recognise that malpractice can sometimes occur and we have recently adopted a whistle-blowing policy setting out how council staff can confidently raise issues of genuine concern.

"That policy sets out clear guidelines for making and dealing with a complaint.

"It also includes protection from victimisation for raising a

complaint."

Updated: 14:14 Wednesday, January 10, 2001