> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Councillor’s company at centre of controversy over funding for Burntwood tree planting project is dissolved - URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/councillors-company-at-centre-of-controversy-over-funding-for-burntwood-tree-planting-project-is-dissolved/ - Published: 2022-01-04T16:57:55.000Z - Updated: 2022-01-05T13:46:05.000Z - Description: The company at the centre of a controversy over funding for a tree planting project in Burntwood that never went ahead has been formally dissolved. - Author: Lichfield Live - Tags: Burntwood, Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 19:15, News The company at the centre of a controversy over funding for a tree planting project in Burntwood that never went ahead has been formally dissolved. [Nature Nuturing Community Interest Company](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/12772195?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk) was awarded £924 by Staffordshire County Council’s climate change fund for the initiative. However, it later emerged that the trees were never planted – or even purchased. ![Cllr Thomas Loughbrough-Rudd](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/loughbrough-2.jpg) Cllr Thomas Loughbrough-Rudd The sole director of the company was Cllr Thomas Loughbrough-Rudd, with the money awarded prior to his election as a Conservative representative for Burntwood North. But after it emerged that the project had not gone ahead, he was [suspended by the controlling Conservative group for six months](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/burntwood-councillor-handed-six-month-suspension-by-conservative-group-over-funding-for-tree-planting-project/), forcing him to stand as an independent. However, the company itself has now been [formally dissolved](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/12772195/filing-history?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk) after failing to register the required confirmation statement within 12 months. Last month Cllr Loughbrough-Rudd [told *Lichfield Live* he was “deeply embarrassed”](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/burntwood-councillor-deeply-embarrassed-by-controversy-over-tree-planting-project/) by the controversy – but insisted he would not resign. > “I will not be running away like a sheep as some people seem to want. That’s not the kind of person I am. > > “No, I’ll face the music for what has happened and if, due to the judgment of my peers, I have to serve out my term as an independent councillor this is what I shall do, because I didn’t put myself forward for public office to run away in self-interest. > > “I don’t deny that the road ahead will be embarrassing, humiliating and potentially destructive of my character – which is something I’ll have to learn to live with – but I’ve decided the right thing to do is to face the music, whatever the cost.” > > Cllr Thomas Loughbrough-Rudd, Staffordshire County Council The authority has previously revealed a review had been launched into how the funding had been allocated and distributed. But despite confirming in December that [Cllr Loughbrough-Rudd had been ordered to pay back the money](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/county-council-says-money-given-to-councillor-for-tree-planting-will-be-paid-back-after-it-emerged-project-never-went-ahead/), Staffordshire County Council has so far [refused to confirm to *Lichfield Live* when the cash will be returned – or if it has already been handed back](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/county-council-refuses-to-confirm-if-money-for-failed-burntwood-tree-planting-scheme-has-been-paid-back/). > “We are carrying out an internal audit review of grants given under the Climate Change Fund and will report on the findings in due course. > > “It would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this stage.” > > Staffordshire County Council spokesperson speaking to *Lichfield Live* on 19th December 2022 But Cllr Rob Birch, a Labour representative on Burntwood Town Council – where Cllr Loughbrough-Rudd is also a member – has also [called for the cost of investigating the funding mystery to be paid back](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/cost-of-getting-to-the-bottom-of-burntwood-tree-funding-mystery-should-be-paid-back-councillor-says/) as well. He said: > “As the money has not been spent then I trust it has already been paid back in full? If not where is it? > > “There had better not be a monthly payment plan being put in place to return it as that would amount to an interest free loan, which in itself would be immoral and a further misuse of public funds. > > “How much has been spent on officers wages sorting this mess out and dealing with the freedom of information requests? > > “The administration costs should also be paid back as public money does not grow on trees so to speak – at least not on none-existent ones.” > > Cllr Rob Birch, Burntwood Town Council