Last month The Yorkshire Post revealed leaked emails from March this year in which the MD of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council , John Sampson, wrote that Tees Valley Combined Authority Chief Executive Julie Gilhespie had confirmed “that Ben H has put a hold on a range of funds coming to us.” At the time, a spokesperson for TVCA said “It is categorically untrue that TVCA withheld money due to RCBC”.
Asked about the email from Mrs Lanigan, a spokesperson for TVCA said: “No funding was withheld, as has been confirmed by the new Labour leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council.” At a council meeting this month, RCBC leader, Labour’s Alec Brown, refused to say funds had been withheld by TVCA, saying there was only “a suggestion in e-mails and other communications of TVCA withholding funds until the roundabout could be delivered.” RCBC were asked to comment on Mrs Lanigan’s emails.