'Business as usual' for Ashfield Council after leader's court conviction
Ashfield Council says it will be continuing to work and provide services as usual following its leader Jason Zadrozny being found guilty of fraud and tax evasion.
On Monday, September 21, a jury at Northampton Crown Court found the 46-year-old guilty on nine counts of fraud and four of tax evasion.
Zadrozny was told by the judge he will be sentenced on November 27 and was ‘at risk of an immediate custodial sentence’.In a statement, a council spokesperson said: "The council is aware that the court proceedings involving Coun Zadrozny have now delivered a verdict.
"The council will now follow the appropriate legal and democratic processes.
"We will continue to deliver our services and undertake our responsibilities for residents, businesses and communities."
Following the verdict, questions have now been raised as to whether Coun Zadrozny can continue not just as leader but as a councillor at all.
However, under the criteria set out in the Local Government Act 1972, the verdict does not mean Coun Zadrozny automatically ceases to be the authority’s leader or a councillor.
Under the Act, a criminal conviction does not automatically remove a member from Ashfield Council or his leadership position.
A councillor is disqualified only if sentenced to imprisonment for three months or more (including a suspended sentence), subject to appeals.
If a court convicts the council leader but issues a lesser sentence—such as a fine, community service, absolute discharge or a prison sentence under three months – they are not legally disqualified from remaining a councillor.
Residents also cannot trigger a by-election via a recall petition for a convicted councillor.
Ashfield councillors are expected to adhere to the authority’s code of conduct and failure to do so could result in the council’s hearing sub-committe imposing sanctions such as removal from any committees or sub-committees they are a member of or removal from the cabinet, or removed from particular portfolio responsibilities
However, the hearings sub-committee has no power to suspend or disqualify a councillor or to withdraw member’s allowances or special responsibility allowances.
Other councillors could vote to remove him as leader, although Coun Zadrozny has himself already publicly stated his intention to step down as a councillor regardless next year.