RETIRED accountant Richard Buttrey, who was instrumental in challenging Warrington Council’s investment in Redwood Bank, has sadly passed away in hospital last Thursday (6th October).
Richard from Stockton Heath was a leading light in shining a spotlight on Warrington Borough Council’s investment in Redwood Bank, drawing attention to the decision-making process and the financial consequences.
His tireless efforts included letters of objection to the Council’s auditors, lobbying of interested parties and a number of letters to local media outlets.
He also ensured that the result of an earlier objection to the auditors, which had been treated as confidential, came into the public domain.
In paying tribute, fellow campaigners said: “Richard was too modest to claim any personal credit, but it is a matter of fact that the Council’s accounts for the last 5 years remain unsigned and the Council agreed earlier this year to reduce the value of the Redwood investment in their accounts from £32 million to about half that figure.”
Richard worked with four fellow campaigners and emailed the group the day before he died asking them to continue the campaign and asking to make sure they got a satisfactory answer.
In response, the campaigners have said “We’re all heartbroken by the news. Richard was a lovely person and incredibly tenacious. The best way we can honour him will be to press the Council to resolve outstanding issues with the investment to the betterment of Warrington’s council tax-payers”.
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Condolences to family and friends.
Richard was a lovely man.
He really did work tirelessly to shine a light on the Redwood Bank business. His gentle nature was a good counterpoint to his tenacity – he wouldn’t accept half answers and kept asking the questions which the whole community need answering.
He will be missed.
Warrington definitely owes a debt of gratitude to Richard for the tenacity and determination he endured to get to the bottom of WBCs chaotic finances. His work will be continued….
Richard will be sorely missed, not only by his family – to whom I send sincere condolences – but also by many council taxpayers, for whose interests he fought very hard.