Town Council Refuses to Explain Payment to Wind Up Private Company Linked to Serving Councillor and a Former Mayor

Penrith Town Council has refused to explain why it has used public money in November to pay Companies House fees to wind up a private limited company, despite having no formal involvement in the business.

The company, Penrith Partnership Ltd, is not owned, run, or controlled by the town council. Its only connection to the council is that one of its directors is a serving town councillor, while another director is a former town councillor and former Mayor of Penrith.

Penrith Partnership Ltd was formed in 1996, almost a decade before Penrith Town Council was established. The company stated that it helped shape the direction of Penrith’s development and delivered projects intended to improve life in the town through partnerships with other organisations, businesses and residents.

It claimed its work ranged from improving green spaces and street furniture to running events aimed at supporting the town’s vitality and economy. Its mission statement also said it sought to influence wider issues beyond the community’s direct control by building working relationships with councils and other agencies.

Companies House records show the company currently has overdue accounts that are required to be submitted by its directors.

There is no record of any Penrith Town Council meeting at which councillors were asked in advance to approve the use of public funds to pay Companies House to dissolve the private limited company.

Penrith Town Council has refused to comment when asked about the payment, the use of public money, and the company’s links to current and former councillors.