Tories call for resignation of Telford's deputy leader as spotlight falls on links to business

Conservatives have called for the deputy leader of Telford and Wrekin Council to resign over a 'potential conflict of interest' linked to her role as a company director.

Labour councillor Carolyn Healy is one of two serving borough councillors who jointly own companies that trade with the council, the other being Conservative Stephen Burrell.

But the Tories say that councillor Healy (Ironbridge Gorge) is able to lead and influence environmental policy to a greater extent now as deputy leader.

Healy is joint director of Red Kite Limited with Nathaniel Healy which provides ecological assessments and planning support for developers.

The links of both borough councillors who have an interest in companies that have traded with Telford & Wrekin Council have been declared on their registers of interest.

And the value of the contracts they have with the council is published annually.

Conservative group leader Councillor Andrew Eade says Councillor Healy's company provides the kind of services that are involved in her leading role in the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Councillor Eade (Church Aston and Lilleshall) said: “I am greatly concerned that Councillor Healy holds a very senior position at Telford & Wrekin Council, where she is able to lead and influence environmental policy, while also serving as co-director of a company that provides ecological assessments and planning support for developers seeking planning permission within the borough.”

A meeting of the council's audit committee in July 2026 was presented with a report on the councillors who have an interest in companies that benefit from trading with the council.

Councillor Burrell's Peace of Mind Homecare provided £336,149 in domiciliary care services.

Councillor Healy's Red Kite Ltd received £34,445 for providing landscape architecture and ecological services.

Before her elevation to the deputy leader's post in the summer, councillor Healy held the cabinet post for neighbourhoods, planning and sustainability.

Edgmond councillor Burrell said his company started working with the council in 2000 and this continued after his election in 2007.

He had also held a cabinet post but "turned down" an advisory role in adult social care because of the connection to his business.

"I do not try to influence those decisions and that has been the case for 27 years. I have been absolutely fastidious on this."

He added that Councillor Healy is "clearly in a position to make decisions".

"Her influence links directly to the business she is a director of."

Council leader Lee Carter (Labour, Arleston and College) said his deputy has followed the rules at every stage.

He said: "For someone who has been a councillor for as many decades as he has, councillor Eade should understand perfectly well 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.

"Indeed, a member of his own group has declared substantial commercial interests with Telford & Wrekin Council in excess of £500,000 a year while continuing to serve as councillor."

He added: "Councillor Healy has followed the rules at every stage just as his own group member appears to have which will leave residents reasonably questioning why Councillor Eade has once again singled out a leading female councillor for this kind of attack.”