Answers required from the North East Assembly Director Stephen Barber

 

Director
North East Assembly
Guildhall
Quayside
Newcastle Upon Tyne

10th November 2004

 

Dear Stephen,

I hope you don't mind us turning our attentions now on the unelected North East Assembly so quickly even before theembers of Prescott's bonfire have cooled, but you know how impatient we are. May I start by saying, and I know that you know that I mean this, that this is not personal, and it is unfortunate that it is you and the unelected North East Assembly that is about to come under intense scrutiny.

We will not rest until the Assembly is disbanded and we have been contacted by thousands of people across the region who are incensed to say the least, at being deceived. They realise that they have been conned and that they are still paying for an Assembly that they never asked for, and thought they had rejected. To argue that they rejected an elected version to be content with an unelected form will unfortunately fan the flames of their anger even higher.

So, we can begin the process of assisting with transparency I would be grateful if you could answer the following questions:

1. Can you please forward details (either electronically or hard copy) of the latest accounts for the North East Assembly, and the most recent subscriptions paid by the local authorities?

2. Can you please confirm that the Assembly is still pursuing incorporation? If so, under what Limited Company title?

3. Can you please provide a full list of all employees, their job description and salary and the nature of their contract (whether temporary or permanent) and the who is responsible for potential redundancy and pension arrangements?

4. Some authorities still seem to think that they are only supporting ANEC and not funding the NEA. Can you please clarify the situation and detail the relationship, administrative and financial, between ANEC and NEA for the record?

5. Can you please provide full contact details of all assembly members and the expenses remuneration package they receive for attendance?

Obviously there will be more as this whole affair comes under close scrutiny, but I am sure this will suffice for the time being. I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

Neil Herron

Frederick Street
Sunderland
SR1 1NA
Tel. 0191 565 7143

cc. Hilary Knox, Assistant Director