Councillor hit with legal threat after raising potential conflict of interest in Reform's care home review plans

Cllr Graham Dalton firmly denies that his business would profit in any way if closures were to go ahead

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Reform UK denies any decision has been made to close ten care facilities and that it is merely one of the options on the table as they undertake a review.

At the heart of the plans is Cllr Graham Dalton in his role as Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care for the ruling Reform UK party at Lancashire County Council.

We know that Cllr Dalton is the director and co-owner of a private care company because he correctly declared it on his register of interests.

And The Lancashire Lead knows of at least two councillors who have raised a potential conflict of interest as a result of that, with one of them publicly pointing out that he could benefit down the line if those care facility users opt for care at home.

County Hall does not believe this is a conflict of interest and Cllr Dalton has firmly denied that he would benefit.

This edition examines the consequences of that row.

Lancashire briefing

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Row over alleged conflict of interest in Reform UK plans that could see care homes close

Cllr Graham Dalton

By Luke Beardsworth

An opposition councillor at Reform-led County Hall was threatened with legal action after raising a potential conflict of interest concern in plans that could see ten care facilities close.

And that legal threat came despite County Hall bosses now conceding that Cllr Graham Dalton, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, will be advised to declare his professional interests in future.

Cllr Kim Snape, county councillor for Chorley Rural East representing Labour, had said that Cllr Dalton could profit from the potential closure of the care facilities due to his role as co-owner and director of private care provider First for Care GB Limited.

A senior member of staff at Lancashire County Council wrote to Cllr Snape to inform her that Cllr Dalton had asked for the Facebook post to be deleted and for an apology to be issued.

That email, seen by The Lancashire Lead, added: “He advises that he is seeking legal advice on the allegations contained.”

The stance from Lancashire County Council is that Cllr Dalton’s role at First for Care GB Limited does not demonstrate a clear and direct financial benefit for him even if the closures go ahead after the planned adult care review.

They believe it could be classed as a ‘non-pecuniary interest’ - which should be declared in meetings - but does not prevent participation in decision making.

Cllr Dalton eventually denied that he would benefit from any decisions made by the adult social care review at County Hall - but only when The Lancashire Lead pointed out that his initial statement, issued via the Lancashire County Council press office, did not contain such a denial.

He said: “I want to make it clear that I have no contracts to provide care for the County Council.

“I have decades of experience in the healthcare industry as a registered nurse, and I am also the part owner in a healthcare company which provides complex nursing and healthcare support for people in their own homes.

“I am disappointed to hear of inaccurate claims about the services my company provides. When I was elected as a councillor I registered all of my interests and these are visible on the county council website for members of the public and other councillors to see.

“It’s also important to note that the services provided by my company fall under healthcare – such as clinical nursing support – which is distinct from the social care services commissioned by the County Council.

“I do not financially benefit from any decisions made by the County Council, nor do I hold any pecuniary interests that would influence my role as a councillor.”

The First for Care GB Limited website states that they offer services ranging from ‘simple to complex care’.