SENIOR cabinet members at Northumberland County Council have responded to a string of allegations made against them by the authority's CEO. 

Chief executive Daljit Lally was placed on leave earlier this month, with the county council confirming the news on August 9. 

Ms Lally has made a number of allegations against members of the authority’s members, and those councillors have responded to those allegations. 

Coun. Peter Jackson, leader of the council, was accused of having a personal relationship with Hexham East councillor Cath Homer.

In a statement made via a solicitor, he said: "Councillors Jackson and Homer have worked together for several years for the good of the county, particularly in relation to the promotion of leisure, tourism, and culture in the area. We would describe each other as friends. All internal procedures have been followed." 

Coun. Jackson and Coun. Homer also denied making "discriminatory" and "inflammatory" statements to Ms Lally about the council putting out communications supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. 

Coun. Jackson continued: "No “discriminatory” or “inflammatory” statements were made to Mrs Lally on this subject or any other. 

"Councillor Jackson has expressed legitimate and widely held concerns regarding the controversial and highly political nature of aspects of the BLM movement and retains those concerns, relating in particular to their anti-capitalist platform as well as their plans to “defund” the police and undermine the concept of the nation state. 

"It goes without saying that Councillor Jackson supports racial equality and both fair and respectful treatment for everyone." 

Coun. Richard Wearmouth, chairman of Advance Northumberland, was accused of failing to act on concerns Ms Lally had over the governance of the council's development company, Advance Northumberland.

He referred to a statement issued by Advance's managing director, Ken Dunbar. 

In correspondence to senior members of the council, Ms Lally wrote that she was concerned Mr Dunbar had shut down construction sites at the start of the pandemic without consulting her. 

Ms Lally felt that Mr Dunbar had exceeded his authority by doing so. 

Mr Dunbar said: "Any allegation of illegal activity or wrongdoing is spurious and misleading." 

Coun. Nick Oliver, who represents Corbridge, was accused of seeking to speed up financial business grants in areas of non-eligibility of government guidance and for people he is known to. 

Coun Oliver's representatives said: "Councillor Oliver did indeed strive to "speed up" the processing of business grants during the present coronavirus crisis. He did so for the benefit of businesses, particularly small businesses, in Northumberland which were in desperate need of support at this very trying time. 

"It is worthy of note in this regard that Northumberland County Council has received praise from government for its speed and efficiency in processing such business grants, loans, and other support. 

"Only businesses eligible for grants were provided with them to Councillor Oliver's knowledge. 

"Councillor Oliver was not responsible for making any decisions on eligibility: he did support businesses in making applications for grants, including businesses owned and/or run by people known to him, but that is an important aspect of his role as a councillor and an unavoidable feature and indeed benefit of local politics and government. 

"The allegations made against Councillor Oliver are presently being considered by Northumberland County Council by way of its formal procedures for dealing with such matters." 

New deputy leader and cabinet member for environment and local services, Coun. Glen Sanderson, was accused of demanding council action on the basis of whether it would help the Conservatives win the May 2021 election, rather than the council’s set budget and the need to abide by good governance. 

In response, Coun. Sanderson's representatives said: "Plainly Councillor Sanderson would require greater detail as to the allegations made against him before he can respond fully. 

"All that he can say at this point is that he would never prioritise political gain at the cost of good governance or financial prudence and compliance. 

"Councillor Sanderson has served as a councillor for 30 years and in that time believes he has established a track record of being straightforward, honest, and determined to work for the benefit of the people of Northumberland." 

Finally, Coun. John Riddle, who represents Bellingham and is cabinet member for planning, housing and resilience, was accused of seeking the purchase by the council of land in which he had a financial interest, and confidential information and inappropriate social services action via the council’s chief executive and social services leader in relation to a relative. 

Coun. Riddle's representatives said: "It is believed that the first allegation concerning land in which Councillor Riddle allegedly has a financial interest relates to Councillor Riddle and his wife’s shares in the Bellingham Mart. Councillor Riddle owns one share whereas his wife owns 20 in Hexham and Northern Marts which owns Bellingham Mart.

"Those shareholdings were declared to the council’s solicitor at the relevant time who advised that shareholdings at such a low level do not meet the threshold required to constitute a “financial interest”. 

"Councillor Riddle was therefore able to participate in debate and consultation regarding the future of the land owned by Bellingham Mart, which has stood idle since the foot and mouth crisis, at the cost of the people of the village. 

"It remains Councillor Riddle’s position that the land should be put to use for the benefit of the community. 

"The second allegation is believed to relate to a conversation between Councillor Riddle and Mrs Lally in which Councillor Riddle remarked that someone must have a vendetta against him and/or his family due to two complaints made against him and his son. 

"Councillor Riddle did not request any assistance from Ms Lally as alleged, not least because none was needed."