A Burntwood county councillor suspended by his own party group over issues around climate change funding says he will be providing answers “in the next few days”.
Concerns have been raised over money Cllr Thomas Loughbrough-Rudd received from a Staffordshire County Council scheme before his election.
More than £920 was given to Nature Nuturing CIC for “tree planting” as part of a climate change fund designed to support environmental initiatives.
The company – which was incorporated in July last year – has Cllr Loughbrough-Rudd listed as the sole director. The business now faces being struck off after no confirmation statement was completed.
The Burntwood North representative has been suspended by the controlling Conservative group at the county council while further checks are carried out into the funding allocated to the community interest company.
Cllr Loughbrough-Rudd told Lichfield Live he would be “compiling everything that needs to be known in the next few days”.
“I will not be commenting on this matter further until then.
“It’s important that what I eventually answer is comprehensive and answers fully the questions that have been asked.
“I feel that this is the right thing to do.”
Cllr Thomas Loughbrough-Rudd, Staffordshire County Council
The Conservative group at Staffordshire County Council said checks were being made after “some concerns” were raised over the money received by Cllr Loughbrough-Rudd.
“Pending those enquiries and discussions with the monitoring officer, Cllr Loughbrough-Rudd is suspended from the Conservative group at Staffordshire County Council.”
Staffordshire County Council Conservative group spokesperson
Lichfield Live understands those checks are expected to be completed next month, at which point he would be either reinstated or expelled from the group permanently and forced to sit as an independent councillor or join another party.
