Auditors’ report prompts ‘full and frank discussion’
A SPECIAL meeting has been called to discuss the fall-out of a report that uncovered a raft of failings at Middlesbrough Council.
External auditors Ernst and Young found the council made an unlawful appointment, made wrongful payments to a publicity company, and that relationships in the council had deteriorated so badly that external help was needed.
Chief executive Tony Parkinson offered a damning assessment of the problems at a recent meeting.
He told how council staff had been coerced, bullied, and intimidated by politicians. The top officer also said there was deep-seated political dysfunctionality and the use of further powers, which could mean government intervention was a case of “when, not if”.
Now the council’s opposition Labour group has triggered an extraordinary council meeting to have “full and frank discussions” about the shortcomings.
The auditors pulled no punches when assessing the culture at Middlesbrough Council.
The report stated there was a “pervasive lack of trust” both among elected members, and between council officers and politicians.
The report states: “In our view, these are serious matters indicative of deep-rooted cultural and relationship issues at the council which require urgent action.”
Mr Parkinson and finance chief Ian Wright have also declined to sign off the annual governance statement – a document that recognises the authority is sticking to rules and regulations.
Mr Parkinson told the audit committee: “I am not prepared to risk my credibility and I am not prepared to be involved in what I would consider to be a dereliction of duty by signing a document that I don’t think will deliver improvement.”
There has been plenty of reaction in the wake of the audit mess. Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston was keen to see a third party investigate.
He also flagged up a ‘toxic culture,’ saying too many councillors were “selfish and lazy” and were wasting time and money with “petty complaints”.
Meanwhile, Labour leaders have called on Mr Preston to step down, calling the audit report a “damning indictment” of his leadership.
The party’s request for a meeting was backed by all 21 of its Middlesbrough councillors.
The request states: “We, the undersigned, read with grave concern the external audit report produced by Ernst and Young regarding Middlesbrough Council in which the council’s accounts were qualified
due to multiple serious governance failings.
“We wish to request an urgent extraordinary general meeting to allow members to debate and discuss the report and the implications and consequences that flow from it.”
It added: “We believe that a full and frank discussion of these issues by elected members is essential.”
The meeting is due to be held on August 31.
ISSUES OF BULLYING AND WRONGFUL PAYMENTS
RAISED