COUNTY councillors are calling for more openness from the group setting up Hereford’s future university after it was revealed they found out about the former chief’s departure through the press.

Professor Janusz Kozinski, chief executive of the New Model in Technology & Engineering (NMiTE), stood down after he unexpectedly had to return to Canada in June.

This unexplained departure came as a shock to councillors who feel they have been ‘left in the dark’ about how the project is going.

The council agreed last December to be the accountable body for public funding allocated to the upcoming university during its establishment phase.

Councillor Liz Harvey, speaking at today’s (July 30) audit and governance committee meeting, said: “I was surprised to find out about the leaving of the principal in the way that I did. I think I found out about it in the newspaper.

“If this committee is responsible for governance I would have expected there to have been some communication on that front that came to the council and specifically to this committee.

She explained she had been contacted by a member of the public who asked if she had heard anything about the former university boss’ departure 12 days before it was officially announced.

She added: “I said no, I hadn’t and I felt sure that if the rumour they had heard was correct then it would be something we would be informed about.”

Councillor Roger Phillips said that the council and its members were immensely supportive of the project and recognise the important contribution it could make to the economy and skills level of the county.

“However, the whole world of universities and their financing is something that has been done somewhat underneath the curtain – when it comes to local government we are very much open and transparent,” he said.

“It strikes me that these people can get away with a great deal, so therefore it is to their compliment that they have asked us to manage their money.

“Therefore, we have to ensure that Herefordians are not subsidising this project or that we are not left holding the can if anything goes untoward.”

Councillor Chris Chappell said the university had not communicated very well and that there was still suspicion among the public about the project.

He said it was important for the public to know the difference between the management of NMiTe funding and any negotiations over land underway between the council and the new university.

Councillor John Stone said it would be a good idea for the cabinet member responsible for liasing with the university to attend.

He said: “We are in the dark with what is going on.”

The committee agreed to call for all councillors to be briefed on the university project’s progress and call on scrutiny committee to consider debating the scheme.