Uttlesford District Council vice-chair Cllr Chris Criscione defends new job for company looking to develop Takeley industrial site
The vice-chairman of Uttlesford District Council (UDC) has defended taking up a new job with a developer planning to build an industrial site in Takeley.
Conservative Chris Criscione, who represents Flitch Green and Little Dunmow, and was part of Tory party leader and North West Essex MP Kemi Badenoch’s campaign team in July’s General Election, has found himself answering accusations of a “potential conflict of interest”.
He said that he was “one of the most vocal champions of propriety” and that “unfounded, unevidenced and categorically false suggestions” had caused him sleepless nights.
It follows last month’s unveiling of plans by Pigeon (Takeley) Ltd to develop an industrial area on land to the north of Taylor’s Farm, just over two miles from Stansted Airport.
The scheme is included in UDC’s Draft Local Plan – the district’s planning blueprint for homes, business, infrastructure and leisure over the next 20 years – and Cllr Criscione was a member of the Local Plan Panel (LPP) working group set up to develop the draft.
According to his LinkedIn business profile, Cllr Criscione started a job as head of communications for Pigeon Investment Management Ltd in October – the company overseeing the Takeley development – just days after standing down from the LPP.
He spoke to the Indie to clarify his position after comments began circulating on social media.
“I answer only to the residents of Flitch Green, Little Dunmow and wider Uttlesford, all of whom motivate me to champion integrity, honesty and transparency in public life without any exception,” he said.
“This is such the case that I actually registered my new interest with the council’s monitoring officer BEFORE I entered into the contract with the employer.
“Never will I let that get in the way of my commitment to my residents. Of course, I am proud to play my part in delivering much-needed new homes, infrastructure and employment in my day job, but I am even prouder to have played some small role in developing this latest plan and its ambitious policies around affordable housing and zero carbon.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I had no financial or other interest in the progression of the council’s emerging Local Plan until I entered into new employment, before which I registered the interest and resigned from the Local Plan Panel. To say otherwise without any proof is deeply defamatory.”
UDC confirmed that Cllr Criscione had acted in accordance with its procedures and had resigned his position as a member of the Local Plan Panel on October 22.
Said a spokesperson: “The council understands that this was prior to his taking up employment with a property development and investment company.
“In accordance with published procedures, Cllr Criscione updated his register of interests, specifically with regards to his employment, on 25 October. He also advised that he would not take part in any future vote on the Local Plan as a result of taking up employment with the company.
“The councillor’s course of action was in full accordance with the requirements of the council’s constitution, which promotes transparency and the avoidance of conflicts of interest.”
