The chair of Hereford Futures has penned an open letter clarifying the council’s contribution to the company’s costs.

Last week opposition councillors, including Lib Dem leader Councillor Terry James, voiced concern that Herefordians were becoming angry at secrecy surrounding Futures, which is behind the city's multi-million pound Old Livestock Market (OLM) development.

You can read the story here. 

But in the past few days, Futures chairman Ted Willmott has said the £2.27 million of “discretionary spend” by Herefordshire Council has helped Hereford Futures secure more than £100m of inward investment to date.

The latest secrecy allegations aimed at Hereford Futures were aired only last week at a meeting of the council’s general overview and scrutiny committee.

Previous criticism has cited Futures as quick to hide behind definitions of “commercial confidentiality” over its activities.

Council leader Councillor John Jarvis sits on the Hereford Futures board and has asked if minutes of board meetings can be made public with redactions.

The scrutiny committee voted to recommend a redaction protocol to the council’s cabinet.

For Mr Willmott's full letter see today's Hereford Times