Haringey Council/NDC accused of wasting regeneration money 20/09/07

Philippa Brent was paid £134,000 in 'consultancy fees' over a three and a half year period - working on the New Deal's Bridges' regeneration project in Seven Sisters, a deprived area. Her role was to 'monitor finances'!

Most full-time council employees can only hope to receive £80,000 over a four year-period.

In a written answer to a Freedom of Information request, and leaked to local Conservatives, Brent was paid £132,775 over a three and a half year period AND claimed £1,427 in expenses.

A shocked Justin Hinchcliffe, the Chairman of Tottenham Conservatives, commented:

'This money was supposed to be spent on regenerating Seven Sisters, not creating fat cats. Ironically, her job was to 'monitor finances'!

'Her 'job' should have been done by the democratically-elected councillors and Board members - saving hundreds of thousands of pounds. Money is being wasted left, right and centre. There should be an independent government enquiry to investigate how the NDC mis-spent and wasted so much money that was originally earmarked to regenerate a run-down section of our community'.

Conservatives also point out that the FoI answers do not state how many hours Brent actually worked at the NDC, whether the job was part-time or full-time, if she had other 'projects' on the go or state what accounting qualifications, if any, had for the role.

ENDs.