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Funding fiasco report out soon
Reporter: Karen Doherty
Date online: 10 February 2010
Oldham Council cabinet
THE investigation into the Chadderton Wellbeing Centre funding fiasco should be completed within a fortnight.
An internal council audit was ordered after a massive blunder was revealed just days before the Wellington Street building opened in November.
The ruling Liberal Democrats say that the £100,000 running costs for the pool, fitness suite, library and meeting rooms were calculated and approved when Labour was running the council.
But it was then discovered that the true figure was £811,000 — more than eight times the amount.
However, Labour councillors are demanding an apology, saying that a trawl though official papers proves they did budget for the full amount.
Councillor Dave Hibbert, Labour’s only cabinet member, hit out at the time the investigation had taken.
He said: “I am surprised this report has taken so long because I found out this information within a week.”
Comments
How long before Sykes and Co wake up to the debt they are lumbering us with through Academy PFI's?? Rather than stand up and fight this NuLabour diktat to get the best deal, they have simply rolled over and had their bellies tickled.
How can the running costs be calculated and then "discovered" to be more than eight times the amount? Who did the calculations and how were the calculations done? Even a ten minute, back of envelope, guestimate job should have got closer than eight times the cost.
Have Your Say
Well 1 week for Hibbert and 2-3 months for the tree hugger’s administration (liberals). I think we all see again the inept efficiencies of this administration and it cost to the tax payers, add the Vance saga! Anyone thinking of voting them in next must need help.
By Keith @ 10/02/2010 13:06:49