Cheshire Constabulary have confirmed that they will be launching a formal investigation into allegations that Cheshire East Council deliberately manipulated air quality data.
An external investigation into the Council's air quality monitoring procedures earlier in the year found that serious errors were made as a "result of deliberate and systematic manipulation of data", which may have affected some planning decisions in the South of the Borough.
The investigation also revealed that the Council failed to ensure that adequate processes, procedures and systems were in place to manage this data effectively.
Cheshire East Council monitors nitrogen dioxide levels at approximately 100 sites throughout the borough.
However, an external investigation found that serious errors were made in the Council's air quality data for 2012, 2013 and 2014 which may have impacted on Air Quality Assessments undertaken as part of the process of considering planning applications, particularly in Nantwich, Congleton, Crewe, Holmes Chapel, Sandbach and Macclesfield.
As reported in August 2017, Cheshire Police were investigating whether any crimes have been committed in relation to the Council's false air pollution figures and have now confirmed there are sufficient grounds to warrant a formal investigation.
Today a spokesperson for Cheshire Police said "A meeting has now taken place with representatives from Cheshire East Council, who had raised their concerns in relation to allegations of manipulated air quality data.
"Having carefully reviewed all the information, we can now confirm that there are sufficient grounds to proceed with a formal investigation."
The Leader of Cheshire East Council called all members to an urgent meeting at 10.30 this morning (Tuesday, 19th September), to update them regarding "matters that have come to CEC's attention and been referred to the police".
Speaking after the meeting Councillor Rachel Bailey, Leader of the Council said: "It is vital that these serious matters are dealt with fully and that if there has been any wrongdoing it is exposed. While a police investigation is a serious matter, I would like to reassure residents that the council itself has brought these matters forward in order to put things right.
"We will ensure that council services continue to be delivered to the high standards that residents have come to expect.
"As these matters are now subject to criminal investigation, we are unable to give more information at this time."
In addition to this investigation, concerns about Cheshire East Council allocatiing £70,000 of public funds to Berkeley Academy in Wistaston for a car park and concerns about land purchases have both been referred to the police.
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