Downham Market council in legal row with debt collectors

Shaun Vincent, himself a former Norfolk council leader, believes Downham Market Town Council (DMTC) owe him money for work he has conducted through his consultancy firm, ABZAG.

It has led to Lovetts Solicitors, a debt recovery specialist based in London, issuing a letter to the authority, demanding these fees be paid. 

But members of the west Norfolk council have refuted any wrongdoing and have signalled they will fight against the claim.

But they will have a battle on their hands as Lovetts Soliticiors - a UK and international debt recovery firm - boast they have recovered £68m for clients in the last 12 months. 

Donwham Market's town centre clock - a well-known landmark in the county (Image: Chris Bishop)

CONSULTANT HIRED

Shaun Vincent is the director of ABZAG, a consultancy firm that advises on planning issues (Image: Broadland District Council)

Details of the legal dispute were revealed at an extraordinary meeting held in secret last month.

Shaun Vincent - a director of consultancy firm ABZAG - was hired by DMTC in October 2019 to provide his services to support their delivery of a neighbourhood plan.

Mr Vincent is a former Broadland council leader whose company - which he runs with his wife and serving Broadland councillor Karen - provides planning services to councils and developers.

A neighbourhood plan is an important document that helps provide a framework for future planning decisions.

They are developed from public consultations that give residents the chance to have their say.

Following a presentation, Mr Vincent was employed as a consultant to be "engaged in the delivery of a Downham Market neighbourhood plan".

Members agreed to pay a deposit to Mr Vincent and that further payments would only occur after "each stage is completed".

His work appears to have continued until June this year, when DMTC stopped developing a neighbourhood plan.

Mr Vincent attended a meeting in June and asked why his contract had been cancelled, explaining that it invoked a cancellation clause in his contract.

It is understood this has led to the dispute arising.

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An aerial view of Downham Market (Image: Mike Page)

DEBT COLLECTORS CALLED IN

Lovetts Solicitors, acting on behalf of ABZAG, have become involved in the dispute.

At the meeting held last month, members responded to the legal firm's claim, which centres on unpaid fees to ABZAG following the cancellation of their contract.

According to the minutes, DMTC said it had paid four instalments of fees to Mr Vincent between May 2020 and January 2022.

Members questioned whether the later stages of works were fully completed and whether it had in fact overpaid the firm.

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A key issue appears to centre on a contract which ABZAG has produced but the council cannot find any evidence of this in its own records.

Downham Market's town hall, where the council offices are located (Image: Newsquest)

"Based on this unsigned contract, the council does not believe there is a case to answer regardless," it said.

DMTC said Azbag has not been in contact with the authority for more than a year but the firm claims it has still been completing work for it. 

"[DMTC] has questions over why the contractor is now asking for payment. Is it because the council declined a new contract?" the minutes continue.

Following the debate, DMTC resolved to "take no action" in relation to the letter from Lovetts Solicitors.

Instead, it has authorised the town clerk to consult with Hawkins Ryan Solicitors to "dispute any legal claim and make a counterclaim on behalf of the council."

Claire Dornan, DMTC clerk, said the council cannot comment further due to it being an active legal situation.

EX-LEADER TAKES ON COUNCIL

Shaun Vincent, who was the leader of Broadland District Council from 2018 until he lost in the local elections in May 2023, has said the situation is "disappointing."

He believes the town council was made aware of all the work he had completed as per their signed agreement.

He said: "I would not be going down this route if I did not think it was correct, just and fair.

"My company has a very good reputation in this field. It has assisted many town councils and helped them accomplish their neighbourhood plans.

"As a company, we have always acted fairly, upfront and transparently. It is disappointing to be in this position."