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Tories hand back tainted donation
TORY officials have paid back cash to a Lytham property developer for the third time this year.
Fylde's Conservative Association today admitted it had received a donation from Kensington Developments – even though it had earlier denied this.
Kensington wants to build 1,150 houses, a school and a nature reserve on the border of Blackpool and St Annes off Queensway.
The company hit the headlines in the summer when it emerged Blackpool South Conservative Association had been given two 5,000 cheques from the influential building firm.
Following these donations The Gazette asked Fylde's Conservatives Association if they, too, had been given cash.
Ray Norsworthy, chairman of association, said: "We've certainly not received any cheques from them (Kensington) and we're not expecting any in the near future."
However, it is now clear Kensington had already given a gift of 100, which went towards a Lancashire County Council (LCC) candidate's election fighting fund.
The matter is confirmed in official Tory association minutes, leaked to The Gazette.
The minutes, said: "The chairman (Mr Norsworthy) stated the cheque from Kensington Developments given to one of our LCC Candidate's fighting fund had been returned in order to prevent any subsequent backlash."
A party spokesman today told The Gazette they had not lied.
He said: "What was said last time didn't prove to be correct.
"As soon as we knew what happened we took the action to return it. It's as simple as that.
"We didn't find out about it until we got the audited accounts through.
"We took action because obviously it's not right that a serving councillor from Fylde Council should receive a donation from a development firm because the wrong inference could be taken that they will in some way be under pressure from Kensington."
The spokesman added the donation was only small using the term "down in the dross".
Kensington Developments, meanwhile, said the Conservatives had approached them
A statement said: "In January 2009 we were approached for a contribution towards a fundraising dinner to be held at the Clifton Arms on February 20. We issued a cheque for 100 on January 23.
"The contribution was subsequently repaid to us in September 2009."
Both Fylde Council leader, Coun John Coombes, and Fylde-based Lancashire County Council cabinet member, Tim Ashton, have expressed their surprise at the donation, saying they had no knowledge, but declined to comment further.
Leader of Fylde Council's opposition group, independent Coun Liz Oades, said: "I think it is highly questionable that any political party would take money from a developer who has plans in their area."
Tory-controlled Fylde Council is opposing Kensington's Queensway plans.
An application to extend Whitehills Business Park is also pending and another scheme has been proposed in Blackpool with a plan to build 500 homes at Marton Moss.
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Wednesday 30 May 2012
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