Everything we know so far after Conservatives call for resignation of Telford's deputy leader

A big local political story of the week has been a call for the deputy leader of Telford & Wrekin Council to resign over a “potential conflict of interest”.

The spotlight has been put on councillor business interests this week after the Conservatives called for the resignation of the council's new deputy leader.

The Tory chief says Labour's Carolyn Healy has a “potential conflict of interest” because she jointly runs a business that provides the kind of services that will be necessary for the Shropshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy, of which she is a supporter.

The strategy does not come with a budget of its own; it sets the framework for landowners and developers to take action on reversing the decline of biodiversity.

Councillor Healy has held the cabinet portfolio covering neighbourhoods, planning and sustainability for some time without the issue of a potential conflict of interest being raised.

She has led the local plan through to the point of near adoption but that has not been raised as a potential conflict of interest despite its policy links to big-spending developers.

Councillor Healy has declared in her register of interests that she is a co-director of Red Kite, which has also provided services directly to Telford & Wrekin Council.

The Ironbridge Gorge representative is one of two serving borough councillors who jointly run companies that trade with Telford & Wrekin Council. The other is Conservative Stephen Burrell.

That is all known, noted in the register of interests and annually reported to members of the council.

So why raise it as an issue now?

Conservative leader Andrew Eade (Church Aston and Lilleshall) says Councillor Healy's recent elevation to the position of deputy leader gives her a greater ability to lead and influence environmental policy.

The position of deputy leader is one that is conferred by the council leader, Lee Carter. Councillor Healy would step up if Councillor Carter were absent or otherwise unable to be present.

Labour council leader Councillor Carter (Arleston and College) adamantly supports his colleague, saying she has followed the rules at every stage.

He pointed out that councillors from all parties can and do hold business interests provided they are openly declared and managed in accordance with the code of conduct.

Behind the scenes there is the council's monitoring officer, a paid senior official who is tasked among other things with giving legal and ethical advice, maintaining the register of interests and upholding standards.

The key is to be open and honest and no one has claimed that Councillor Healy is not. Indeed, an opinion from the press bench is that she is widely respected and liked by members across the political divide of the council chamber.

Could the companies that any councillors run directly financially benefit from a high-level strategic policy decision? Probably not, unless some kind of insider knowledge gives them an unfair advantage. There is no suggestion of that.

Could companies benefit from having a high-profile councillor at the helm? Possibly, but if that kind of influence is outlawed, would any business person be able to be a councillor?

Should Councillor Healy resign her council deputy leadership position, or not?

The judge of that sits in the court of public opinion and they will be bashing their gavel at the all-out elections across Telford and Wrekin next May. The voters, as ever, will have the last word.