Two politicians are calling on Allerdale council to release information about its deal with a private company.

Conservative borough councillors Mark Jenkinson and Adrian Davis-Johnston want the council to disclose documents about Allerdale Investment Partnership.

The partnership is a joint venture between Allerdale council and Lucent Allerdale Partnership SARL to release surplus council-owned land for development.

The partnership has so far developed land at the new Lidl site in Maryport. Other plans include developing Workington land at Ashfield Road South, The Green, near Allerdale House, and north of the Zebra Claims Stadium.

Documents considered by the council’s executive in February 2014, when the partnership was established, are not public.

Councillor Jenkinson said: “This decision was made by the executive committee behind closed doors and documents relating to that meeting are classed by the council as ‘confidential’ because of the commercial nature. There should have been a wider discussion.”

Satirical magazine Private Eye claimed earlier this month the joint venture was set up against advice by accountants Deloitte. It claimed there was no way to know if the deal was best value for money as the council did not put it out to tender.

Extracts from a report by Deloitte are quoted in the minutes of the executive meeting.

Allerdale council said: “The advice from Deloitte said this type of partnership is what private investment firms would expect to deal with.

“Full legal advice was taken. The solicitors stated creating a joint venture organisation is not, in itself, something which is classified as procurement from a legal perspective.”

Coun Jenkinson said he obtained a copy of the Deloitte report from the council, but he is bound by confidentiality and other councillors were not provided with the document.

Accounts published by Companies House on November 4, 2015, said the partnership has so far made a loss of £460,382.

The Allerdale spokesman said the accounts were issued before any land sales had been carried out.

He added: “They merely reflect the costs associated with the development of sites, costs which would have been solely borne by the council had it not been in this partnership. All costs are within budget and have been signed off by the independent auditor.”

Coun Davis-Johnston said: “We are calling for all documentation relating to the relationship Allerdale council has with Lucent to be made public, so that taxpayers can scrutinise what their money is being spent on.”

Allerdale council employed Lucent Advisors to offer technical and development support. But, in June, they were removed from the role as the council decided their services were no longer required.

Coun Jenkinson said: “This plan was sold to Allerdale’s executive on the basis of Lucent Advisors’ knowledge, experience and contacts.

“Now that they’ve been removed, where does that leave Allerdale taxpayers?”

The partnership is managed by a partnership board and project team. Alan Smith, council leader, and Mark Fryer, deputy leader, are representatives on the board.

Allerdale council said they do not receive any renumeration or fees for their board roles.