Emails from a property boss to the former chief executive of Liverpool City Council have been released.
The emails reveal messages between Jonathan Falkingham, founder of regeneration firm Urban Splash, and Tony Reeves. Mr Reeves stepped down from his chief executive role last month.
Earlier this year Liverpool County Court an employment tribunal heard how Mr Falkingham raised concerns about the way the council dealt with the transfer of land owned by Urban Splash in relation to the New Chinatown scheme. The ambitious scheme was not built which led to a row involving investors, developers and the council.
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The court tribunal heard how Mr Falkingham raised his concerns with both Mr Reeves and the city's then mayor Joe Anderson. The revelations emerged during an unfair dismissal claim by former regeneration boss Nick Kavanagh. Mr Kavanagh lost the claim.
Now Liverpool Council has released email exchanges between the Mr Falkingham and Mr Reeves in response to a recent Freedom of Information Act request.
In one email to Mr Reeves, Mr Falkingham makes specific reference to New Chinatown.
The email, dated January 22 2019, reads: "Just to let you know that the signed statement and hard copy of our chinatown file have been sent recorded today so will be with you tmw."
In March 2019 Mr Falkingham sent an email which enquired if Mr Reeves was going to MIPIM, a property and real estate conference in the south of France. It reads: "Hi Tony -are you in MIPIM this year. I'm out all week-fancy a coffee?
"Also, if you're around Friday we have a barbecue at xxxxxx if you fancy, let me know?"
In January 2020 Mr Falkingham said it was time for Urban Splash to start rebuilding their relationship with the council.
His email to Mr Reeves read: "Hi Tony, good to catch up earlier in the week.
"I am as keen as ever to re-build a positive relationship with Liverpool not just because I am passionate about the city that I have chosen to call home but because I think and have a lot to offer.
"Following the meeting I wondered whether it would be useful for us to come and do a presentation to senior cabinet and officers so that there is a clearer understanding about our philosophy, skill sets, and ambitions, and talk more about the investments from Sekisui House.
"I would be very happy hosting a lunch at RIBA North ( Liverpool) on a day to suit."
The ECHO approached Mr Falkingham and Mr Reeves for comment. A judgement handed down by Judge Rachel Mellor concluded that Mr Falkingham had raised issues with the council in relation to the transfer of leases owned by Urban Splash.
Judge Mellor said: "The reason the respondent started looking into the claimant was genuine. There was a complaint (or concern) raised by Mr Falkingham in respect of the China Town development and reassignment of the lease.
"The evidence shows that both the Chief Executive and the Executive Mayor had been told about those issues and were also aware that there was a criminal investigation in relation to the developer PHD1 who Liverpool City Council, through the claimant and Councillor O’Byrne, had supported."
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