Medway Council has asked the police to conduct a review into claims that a senior councillor acted inappropriately.

Medway Labour called for the council to investigate Cllr Andrew Mackness, then head of corporate services, in September.

Cllr Mackness, who has recently been appointed head of children’s services, updated his online register of interests to include a role as a consultant on the Hook Meadow library site redevelopment.

At a cabinet meeting in June, it was decided the council would sell-off a number of community venues and car parks including Hook Meadow in King George Road, Walderslade.

Medway Labour called in the decision and the proposal was brought up at cabinet again on August 9, where councillors, including Cllr Mackness, gave it the green light.

But Labour group leader, Cllr Vince Maple, said Cllr Mackness should not have been allowed to vote on the proposals, due to his role as a consultant, and wrote to the council’s monitoring officer, asking them to conduct an investigation.

The committee decided, after following the agreed protocol, that the case passed the necessary threshold for referral to the police.

A council spokesman confirmed today: “Councillor conduct committee considered the case and took the decision to refer it to the police for review.”

Cllr Mackness said: “It is imperative for elected Members to be transparent in their work, as I am at all times, which is why I declared my interest at Hook Meadow in the first instance, along with my other declarations.

"The declaration in relation to Hook Meadow was incorrect and was not a pecuniary interest at all and should not have been listed”.

"I have no financial interest in this site at all and it has been removed. This is pure administrative error on my part.

"Whilst I of all people am keen for this to be resolved, there is a process that must be followed, I have co-operated completely with Medway Council's legal department, and should the Police be in contact, I will be pleased to assist them in any way that I can to conclude this matter.

"When this matter is concluded I will be asking for a review of the whole process , having been unable to comment or be interviewed at any stage by the Councillor conduct committee , which is a ridiculous situation.

"The matter raised by the Labour group is a clear attempt to damage my reputation and nothing else “

A spokesman for Kent Police added: “Kent Police has received information from Medway Council which is currently being reviewed, in order to determine whether or not any offences have been committed.”