Allegations of widespread corruption in local planning departments sparked an angry response from the chief executive of the Local Government Association (LGA) but little in the way of answers.
A former senior policy adviser to Number 10, Rohan Silva, writing for the Times, claimed that the newspaper's exposure of a corruption scandal in London was just 'the tip of the iceberg'.
The Times revealed that a businessman with ties to Labour through Shiria Khatun - deputy mayor of Tower Hamlets - was secretly recorded demanding a £2m bribe from property developers seeking to build a £500m skyscraper development in the Isle of Dogs.
Referencing the incident, Mr Silva said 'the depressing truth is that corruption is endemic in Britain's bureaucratic planning system'.
He said you can find stories of bribery 'in every corner of the country' and cited Doncaster, Enfield, Greater Manchester and East Devon as places where corrupt practices had been discovered.
Chief executive of the LGA Mark Lloyd tweeted in response: 'A crude attempt to undermine the planning system to allow unfettered development without local scrutiny.
'Take evidence to the police as fast as you can @Silva rather than make unfounded accusation of endemic corruption against a nation of Cllrs and officials.'
When questioned by Transport Network on what processes the LGA had in place to support whistleblowers and allow the sector to scrutinise and police the planning system, the LGA were unavailable for comment.
The news comes as the LGA and local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) have had what is set to be the first of a series of meetings as part of potential reforms to the controversial local bodies.
The Government called for a review of LEPs following accusations of conflicts of interests and questionable cash allocations at some LEPs, which are responsible for billions of Local Growth Fund money used in local transport, highways and infrastructure projects.
The chairman of the LGA’s Economy, Environment, Housing and Transport Board, Cllr Martin Tett said: 'The review of local enterprise partnerships and the development of new Local Industrial Strategies are important opportunities to secure an even stronger partnership between business and public sector leaders. The LEP Review must seek the most robust local governance arrangements which are supported by new local powers and funding and underpinned by local democracy and a strong business voice.'
'LEPs are local partnerships and growth strategies will rely on the strength and quality of local leadership. They will continue to succeed with the close involvement of councils, as we work together to meet local ambitions.'
The LGA declined to comment on how exactly LEPs should be reformed.
Transport Network understands that the LGA and LEP will continue to discuss and meet as necessary.
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