MEMBERS of Northumberland County Council’s ruling cabinet have agreed to formalise a request for another police force to examine allegations of criminal activity at its former development company, Arch.

The request follows last month’s audit committee meeting where members discussed a damning 98-page report into the organisation, which was formed by the council’s former Labour administration, and a lack of confidence in an investigation into the dealings of key members of the company by Northumbria Police.

Councillors agreed that officers from the force must be asked to clarify whether anyone had been interviewed in relation to the claims, which include questions raised over how £1.5m of taxpayers’ money was used, and whether there had been any referrals to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Coun. Georgina Hill, chairwoman of the audit committee, said: “The feeling is that the issues haven’t been assessed properly and that there’s more to come out.”

Council leader, Coun. Peter Jackson, said: “What isn’t clear to me is the way that any investigation has been conducted, and the response, in particular, seems very unsatisfactory.”