MP hits out at council chief after accusation he potentially cost constituency £20m in Levelling Up cash

Heywood and Middleton MP Chris Clarkson has hit out at a leading councillor after being accused of costing his constituency £20m in Levelling Up funds.

The explosive allegation was made by Rochdale council economy boss John Blundell, whose open letter to the Conservative politician has been circulating on social media.

He claims Mr Clarkson has not engaged with the council - including the former and current leader and chief executive - ‘for several years’.

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This, he alleges, led to the council last year missing the opportunity to submit an application to the government for Levelling Up fund monies of up to £20m.

However Mr Clarkson rejects the accusations, claiming the council had not been ‘forthcoming’ with regeneration proposals, and that Coun Blundell was ‘playing childish games’.

Written on council head paper, Coun Blundell’s letter is dated February 28 and has been shared via Rochdale Labour's Facebook and Twitter accounts.

In it, he notes it is likely that access to Levelling Up monies will continue to to be subject to MP support - meaning it is vital the council and Mr Clarkson ‘form a positive working relationship’.

Coun Blundell continues: “The reason we did not submit an application [for Heywood and Middleton] was because we could not get hold of you to discuss regeneration projects that you might support.

“The projects submitted had to be backed by the local MP. Your sedentary approach to engaging with the council on the economy may have cost your constituency £20 million.

“Unless you change course, you may cost your constituents tens of millions of pounds more."

The Smallbridge and Firgrove councillor then