Star date: 22nd April 2021

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR COUNCIL CANDIDATES: NO 4 POLICE HQ ON THE CRESCENT

As the local elections on 6th May draw nearer, the Salford Star is not going to grill candidates. There are so many candidates for the sixty seats up for grabs that we wouldn't be able to do them all justice.

So, this year we're asking the electorate to Do It Yourselves and we have compiled a handy series of questions to ask candidates to help voters on their way. The fourth set of questions are about the so-called 'Local government scandal of the decade' at the old Police HQ on the Crescent.

Full details here...

QUESTIONS TO ASK COUNCIL CANDIDATES ON SALFORD CRESCENT POLICE HQ...

Back in 2019, Stephen Ord, then a Labour Party councillor, told a full meeting of Salford Council that the refusal of planning permission for Stama Developments (Salford) Ltd to convert the old Police HQ on the Crescent into flats and houses was the "local government scandal of the decade"; that "there is no doubt in my mind that criminal offences have been committed"; and that there was a "multi-million pound lawsuit being compiled" against the Council (see here).

The case was in relation to the refusal of planning permission for Stama to re-develop the police station, and the shenanigans surrounding the Council planning panel meeting that refused it.

In mid-November last year, it appears that Salford Council might have tried to settle the matter out of court, with an 'Urgent Executive Decision' taken by Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, authorising the Strategic Director of Place to "settle up to a maximum figure" during mediation.

Then a case was supposed to be heard in March, with Stama claiming £6.5million from Salford City Council for 'alleged breach of agreement' according to law firm Kings Chambers which was representing Stama (see here). But a decision by the Council saw it "Applying to vacate a High Court hearing for a period of 6 months and agree to undertake further discussions and negotiations as detailed in the confidential report considered on 11th January 2021..."

The decision notice adds that "The application to vacate a High Court hearing has emerged to seek to resolve litigation before going to court, potentially avoiding a lengthy trial at public expense"...

And then, apart from hints of the Council handing the developer some other land for its housing plans, everything has gone incredibly quiet, except for Stephen Ord, now standing against Paul Dennett in the Salford City Mayor election, who is promising a "full and independent inquiry into the alleged illegal political actions that blocked the renovation of the old Crescent Police Station..."*

So, questions to ask council candidates and Mayor candidates about the Crescent Police Station...

Why do you think Salford Council hasn't let this case go to court so that it can prove once and for all that no wrongdoing took place?

Why do you think the current City Mayor authorised the Strategic Director of Place to "settle up to a maximum figure" during mediation if the developer didn't have a case?

Will you order a full public inquiry into this affair if elected?

Do you think the City Mayor or councillors have done anything wrong?

In your opinion, is this the 'local government scandal of the decade'?

The Salford Star will be publishing more questions to ask candidates as the 6th May election draws near.

See Previous Questions For Candidates...

No 1: On Buile Hill Mansion – click here
No 2: On the AJ Bell Stadium – click here
No 3: On Green Belt Destruction – click here

For a full background on the Council Election – click here

* The Salford City Mayor Election – click here

And the Greater Manchester Mayor Election – click here