CONTROVERSY once again surrounded Swindon’s wi-fi plans last night after questions were raised over the nature of the deal between the council and Digital City.

The decision over the wi-fi service in the town will now return to full council where the appointment of Swindon Council’s group director of business transformation, Hitash Patel to a directorship of the company behind the project, will come under the microscope.

At a meeting of the Scrutiny Committee, sitting at the Civic Offices in Euclid Street, members of the public raised concerns over the paradox between what was included in council-issued documents regarding the wi-fi service – which is partly funded by a council loan to Digital City – and the actions of Mr Patel.

Resident Richard Simmons, of Brampton Court, revealed that Mr Patel was appointed a director of Digital City on September 15, 2009 – almost one month before his involvement had been agreed primarily by two cabinet members and then later by full council.

The revelation suggests that Mr Patel, who was not at last night’s meeting, had no official basis on which to act on behalf of the council as his directorship was yet to be agreed by all members of the authority.

Mr Simmons, in public questions, said: “Given that public confidence in the matter has been damaged by the group director of business transformation, will that gentleman cease his position on the council?”

Committee chair Derique Montaut (Lab, central) said that Mr Simmons would receive a full answer to his question in writing.

He was also quick to point out that there was no suggestion that the leader of the council, Coun Rod Bluh, was aware of the potential conflict of interest.

But Des Morgan, of Carraway Drive, said that, as the briefing note which was later signed off by two cabinet members on October 15 and 20, was prepared by senior council officers, they either did not pass information about the error on or did not notice it.

“It is clear that members of the council at a senior level, the leader and his colleagues and you Mr chairman yourself, were unaware of this appointment and that leads to some very serious questions which should be asked as to the policy of the council.

“Senior officers either knew about it and said nothing or didn’t know about it – which is almost as bad and quite hard to believe.”

Committee members voted unanimously to refer the matter back to Cabinet.

Coun Bluh, said that he felt that any further scrutiny over the matter would not have altered anything.

He added: “But if that’s the decision I must accept that.”