Councillor cleared over festive lights spending

A investigation by detectives has cleared an Oakengates councillor of any wrong-doing over the spending of more than £30,000 on Christmas lights for the town, a meeting has heard.

Members of Oakengates Town Council were told last night that Councillor Alan Maddy, chairman of the authority's social and events committee, had called in detectives following rumours circulating about him in the town.

Councillor Maddy, in a letter read out at the meeting, said accusations had been "flying round" the town that he had splashed out £38,000 on the lights and that sum did not include wiring, insulation or installation of supporting brackets.

The letter added there were even accusations of "brown envelopes" being handed around.

Members heard West Mercia CID had been investigating the allegations over the last few days and, having completed its inquiries, was satisfied that neither Councillor Maddy nor anyone on the social and events committee had any case to answer.

Councillor Maddy said after last night's meeting that £34,000 had originally been earmarked for Oakengates' Christmas lights last year, £17,000 of that being provided by the town council and £17,000 by the Telford & Wrekin Regeneration Partnership.

He said the lights actually came in under budget but the town council then received a request from traders in Limes Walk to also have Christmas lights and so the project was extended and approximately £1,800 more was found from the authority's funds to pay for it.

He added: "I am happy the investigation has cleared me, as of course I knew it would, and so I hope this puts an end to the allegations."