24 March 2006
The Audit Commission has roundly condemned Bradford City Council's planned £1.2bn procurement of an asset management programme as 'failed', 'inadequate' and 'falling short' of the standards expected from local authorities.
The commission report follows anonymous allegations about the council's poor management of the project, which planned to outsource up to 3,000 facility management staff and oversee the disposal of surplus assets. The plans – which were in their final stages – have been stalled since the watchdog began its investigation in June 2005.
The commission said it was 'not critical' of the council's decision to embark on the procurement, but rather of 'the processes that were used by officers to implement member-approved decisions'.
It found that the council's approach to staffing the 'exceptionally complex' procurement exercise was 'minimalist', and left officers 'overstretched', 'confused' and in one case compromised by their multiple roles.
A lack of internal expertise led to the contracting of external financial advisers. However, the auditor found that their appointment was 'badly commissioned', came in at three times the planned costs, and possibly breached European Union procurement rules.
District auditor Ivan McConnell said: 'There have been significant weaknesses in the appropriate standards required to manage a complex project of this kind. However, I am pleased to report that the interim chief executive has… already taken action.'
Ian Greenwood, leader of the opposition Labour group, told Public Finance: 'This shambles is the result of unacceptable political pressure brought on officers.'
PFmar2006
