We welcome the CIPFA report as far as it goes in exposing the flawed and dishonest decision making by Liberal Democrat Councillors during the setting up of the SDEN district heating project, but note that CIPFA was not asked by the Lib Dem group who commissioned the report to investigate allegations of fraud in relation to the creation of SDEN.

We note that the multiple instances of incorrect information used in the decision making process to set up SDEN has been uncovered largely due to the sterling efforts of New Mill Quarter Residents’ Chair and Labour member Sheldon Vestey with the full support of the local Labour Party. Sheldon uncovered what opposition councillors missed, and has relentlessly pursued justice in this matter for more than 2 years.

We will continue to support New Mill Quarter residents tied into SDEN energy contracts in their fight for fair pricing and reliable service. We will continue to work to make sure that all the facts in this murky story are uncovered, and that the heavy losses incurred by the project will not be met by council tax payers or cuts in council services.