LUDLOW critics of Shropshire Council say the future of the company set up by the authority is in doubt following the resignation of its director and council leader Keith Barrow.

Andy Boddington, who represents Ludlow on Shropshire Council, says the future of ip&e Ltd is in doubt after Keith Barrow admitted that he failed to declare a conflict of interest.

The issue was considered at Shropshire Council’s Standards Sub Committee which was considering an investigation into allegations that Councillor Barrow failed to comply with the code of conduct.

Councillor Barrow has apologised to the council for failing to disclose, at those board meetings, his personal and business relationship with a director of the company eventually appointed as accountants and auditors of ip&e Ltd.

He accepted with hindsight that he should have formally disclosed the nature and extent of his interest at the meetings and confirms that he will attend training to make sure he is fully aware of his responsibilities on such matters under the council’s code of conduct and to ensure such oversight is avoided in the future.

Councillor Barrow has resigned from his position as director of ip&e Ltd in order to prevent any future risk of such conflicts of interests arising and because it is the right time for the appointment of a chairman independent of the council.

"The resignation of Shropshire’s council leader Keith Barrow from the board of ip&e has left the future of the company in limbo,” said Andy Boddington.

“My view is that the council should drop its obsession with making a profit out of other public sector organisations. ip&e must become the council’s innovation hub.

"This company is very much a Barrow baby. He has been the champion promoting ip&e.

"He has been the one claiming that it will make the council enough money to alleviate some of the government’s cut to local government budgets. He has been, until today, the public face of ip&e.

"But Barrow’s future as council leader is on the line. Can ip&e survive without him?"