ThePrisoner
Well-known member
Meanwhile, at the Gazette:
Teesside politics
- Thread starter edinboro
- Start date
American_Mary
Well-known member
I'm surprised that Turner's unelected position on the Middlesbrough Development Corporation board is not included in this story nor is his historical undeclared criminal record for dishonesty.
What possible qualification does Turner have, beyond friends in high places or perhaps with those who share similar handshakes, to be included on a board charged with public redevelopment ?
There is also little mention of the SeAH contract agreement that I'm told involves a 100% exemption from business rates which was used as a sweetener to attract this and other investment on the Teesworks site.
These zero business rates are the reason that Brexit was necessary for the Freeport's existence, another lie, but it does put a very large question mark to the figures that Houchen is quoting as guaranteed income....
The Turner and Houch reboot may not be as funny as the original but it has certainly cast two clowns in lead roles.
What possible qualification does Turner have, beyond friends in high places or perhaps with those who share similar handshakes, to be included on a board charged with public redevelopment ?
There is also little mention of the SeAH contract agreement that I'm told involves a 100% exemption from business rates which was used as a sweetener to attract this and other investment on the Teesworks site.
These zero business rates are the reason that Brexit was necessary for the Freeport's existence, another lie, but it does put a very large question mark to the figures that Houchen is quoting as guaranteed income....
The Turner and Houch reboot may not be as funny as the original but it has certainly cast two clowns in lead roles.
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jam69
Well-known member
Why?
Jonny Ingbar
Well-known member
It's like saying he's the PCC for my back garden, technically he's correct, but he's actually the PCC for Cleveland.
Chris_Boro
Well-known member
Think it was to highlight the fact he was running for a council seat in Redcar.
Jonny Ingbar
Well-known member
Yes, maybe, either way the whole thing doesn't look good at all.
ThePrisoner
Well-known member
Don't know if this is anything more than a gesture, but...
ForssAwakens
Well-known member
jam69
Well-known member
Yes but what does that undermine his point?
ThePrisoner
Well-known member
Any jobs 'created' so far are all being paid for, directly or indirectly, with public funds, n'est pas? Including the airport.
Who has put in this '£2 billion of private investment'? As far as I can tell no private concern has put a penny in yet, least of all Musgrove and Corney.
Why do the NAO need to carry out 'a further review of STDS, Teesworks and Goverment funding'? Houtchen told us a while back that the NAO had already had access to every document and had signed off the project with a clean bill of health. It was in the Gazette so it must be true.
No doubt Houtchen and Gove are getting their story straight before they unleash another PR squirrel to keep the grift going for a bit longer. The Gazette has probably already been primed.
ForssAwakens
Well-known member
It’s looking like Ben Houchen got a heads up of a committee decision to investigate involving the NAO so he rushed a letter out before it was announced
ThePrisoner
Well-known member
Jonny Ingbar
Well-known member
I think it does, simple inaccuracies like that tend to leave me less confident of piece in general.
ThePrisoner
Well-known member
Shocking allegations made by this Private Eye journalist.
Surely Houtchen has no option but to sue!
Surely Houtchen has no option but to sue!
ForssAwakens
Well-known member
ThePrisoner
Well-known member
And today the Gazette is still spinning the story from Houtchen's point of view.
It's a real shame that the internet has destroyed local journalism and has reduced them to a propaganda outlet for spivs.
Ben Houchen calls for Teesworks investigation after Labour demands inquiry
Norman_Conquest
Well-known member
Apparently, it is outside of the National Audit Office remit.
www.gazettelive.co.uk
NAO says full Teesworks investigation outside of remit
'The NAO is discussing these matters with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the appointed auditor for Tees Valley Combined Authority'
www.gazettelive.co.uk
ForssAwakens
Well-known member
Jen Williams of ft presented is slightly different saying the Nao said they need their remit changingApparently, it is outside of the National Audit Office remit.
NAO says full Teesworks investigation outside of remit
'The NAO is discussing these matters with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the appointed auditor for Tees Valley Combined Authority'
ThePrisoner
Well-known member
Ok so we can see where this is going. Houtchen will try to get an audit carried out by an accountancy firm that will be in his pay.Apparently, it is outside of the National Audit Office remit.
NAO says full Teesworks investigation outside of remit
'The NAO is discussing these matters with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the appointed auditor for Tees Valley Combined Authority'
HarryVegas
Well-known member
The only investigation I want to hear about is one by the fraud squad.