William Eichler 23 January 2025

Council’s senior management ‘unaware’ of £13.5m overspend

Council’s senior management ‘unaware’ of £13.5m overspend  image
Image: chrisdorney / Shutterstock.com.

Guildford Borough Council’s senior management were ‘unaware’ of a multi-million-pound overspend on a housing contract but should have noticed a series of ‘red flags’, investigation concludes.

A review last May of the council's housing and best value governance by senior officers' group Solace uncovered a series of risks, potential fraud, and a £13.5m overspend on a housing contract.

A new investigation was commissioned by Guildford and Waverley BCs aimed at establishing ‘who knew what, when, and what actions were taken, or should have been taken’ to secure compliance and deliver best value.

Conducted by the law firm Heminsley Law and published today, the investigation report concludes that senior management and those responsible for housing were ‘unaware’ of the overspend.

However, it lists what it describes as ‘red flags’, such as conflicts of interests and allegations of fraud in 2022, that it says should have been visible to senior management and Guildford’s Corporate Management Board.

Guildford BC leader Cllr Julia McShane commented: ‘We recognise the importance of this investigation to understand what went wrong in the past and make meaningful changes to ensure a stronger future.

‘Our residents deserve a council that delivers best value for them. Our priority is to do the right thing, not the easy thing, for the benefit of our residents and businesses.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Activites Assistants (CASUAL)

Durham County Council
£24,404 (12.65 p.a. hour) - £25,183 (£13.05 p.a. hour)
This is an exciting opportunity for Casual Activities Assistants to join our Leisure and Sport Service.   Leisure Centres are
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Pension Administration Officer

Durham County Council
£24,404 to £25,183 p.a. (Grade 3) Pay award pending
A vacancy has arisen within Pension Services for an Administration Officer to provide admin and data support to the pensions team and members of the L Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

County Attendance Officer

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £39513
We are seeking to recruit to the role of County Attendance Officer on a permanent basis to work predominately across the North or the South of the county. The team works across the whole of Oxfordshire so flexibility to work in other areas is also require County Hall, Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Software Engineer Starter

West Northamptonshire Council
£26914
We're looking for an exceptional human to join our digital team to learn the skills and put them into practice, designing, developing and maintaining websites, mobile apps & AI. You'll join us on our journey as we create better end-to-end services for our Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Executive Director - Growth, Enterprise and Environment

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council
£139,111.00 (pay award pending)
This is a chance to make a significant difference to the lives of families across our borough – and to seriously improve your quality of life. Redcar and Cleveland House, Kirkleatham Street, Redcar, TS10 1RT
Recuriter: Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council
Linkedin Banner