External investigation into issues around councillors’ payment
Telford & Wrekin Council’s Leader, Andrew Eade has asked for an immediate external investigation of the circumstances surrounding expenses payments made to two councillors in 2007.
The call follows an initial investigation by the Council’s Monitoring Officer referring two councillors for independent investigation about whether or not they had breached the Council’s Code of Conduct.
The Council’s Chief Finance Officer also commissioned an internal audit review into the circumstances surrounding these payments. Both of these investigations have now been concluded.
Earlier this month the councillors, who repaid the money in full, were held not to have breached the Council’s Code of Conduct by the Council’s Standards Committee (made up equally of independent members and councillors).
The internal audit report was due before the Council’s Audit Committee at the end of this month but the Leader, on being fully briefed at the conclusion of the standards investigation, has called for earlier action.
Cllr Eade said: “The circumstances surrounding these payments for me raise issues about the way that some officers and members acted at the time that ought to be made public. I feel that the best way of ensuring public confidence in the way that the Council operates is to ask our external auditors to undertake an independent investigation and I have asked for this to be done immediately.”
The Council’s Chief Executive, Victor Brownlees said; “These events took place in 2007 and the way that councillors expenses are managed were reviewed and changed in 2008.
“However it is important that public confidence is maintained in the way that the Council does business and I, along with the other statutory officers who are legally responsible for the governance of the authority, have now asked our external auditors to progress this and will be pushing them for a public report as soon as possible.
“So as to not prejudice this investigation, we cannot say any more about this matter until this report is published.”
ENDS
For more information contact Nigel Newman, Communications Manager, on 01952 382403, or email
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PR6244
Nigel Newman
Communications Manager
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