Leaked report had no evidence from me

Helen Lockwood

AN Oldham Council executive director has hit out at a report into a failed £5million homes scheme in Rossendale — which accuses her of disregarding concerns — as it was conducted “without a single word of evidence” from her.

Rossendale Council bosses have issued a public apology after an official report lifted the lid on a series of failings that led to a botched £5million Empty Homes Scheme.

The audit report, carried out by Lancashire County Council, highlighted a number of errors during the scheme.

Cost

Earlier this year, AAAW Ltd, a company Rossendale Council had brought in to manage the refurbishment of 474 homes across East Lancashire, went into liquidation.

This triggered the collapse of the scheme — at an expected cost of up to £2million.

The Chronicle reported how former chief executive of Rossendale Council, Helen Lockwood, who is now executive director of co-operatives and neighbourhoods at Oldham Council, was accused of “apparently disregarding” concerns over the scheme raised by a housing association.

However, in a personal statement, Ms Lockwood has revealed that, despite numerous offers to have her say, the report was completed without a single word of evidence from her.

She said: “Let me be clear that I was as disappointed as anyone when AAAW went into liquidation, but it’s also important to know some key facts about this investigation.

“Since leaving Rossendale for a new post last January I have been given absolutely no opportunity to make any comments on this.

“Indeed, despite making direct contact and offers on numerous occasions, I have been asked no questions, nor even requested to clarify any facts.

“The report has been completed without a single word of evidence from myself despite my efforts to engage.

“It’s also important to know that I’ve not even been given the courtesy of being able to see the report at any time — even after somebody deliberately leaked a segment to the media.

“To get to the truth, which is surely what motivates any fair investigation, it’s clear that evidence should be sought and considered from all the individuals involved. The fact that has not happened raises pretty serious questions about the validity of an investigation which also fails to address the roles of other significant individuals.”

The report finds the mismanagement of the scheme has left a “considerable liability” to Rossendale council, which will have to be met by Rossendale taxpayers.

Other findings reached by the independent auditors include Rossendale Council’s constitution was effectively disregarded.

The report claims there was allegedly a lack of involvement of elected members, and the council paid the supplier £3.3million without undertaking any procurement process, by the decision of a single officer.

Warnings over the viability of the scheme were also disregarded, according to the report.

It also found no action was taken to gain any assurance that the renovation work was actually being done, had been completed and met basic environmental health standards.

Unclear

As of September, just 152 of the 359 properties renovated by AAAW Ltd were occupied, with an estimated 90 per cent of the renovated homes requiring further work.

It is still unclear whether Rossendale Council can bind the other local authorities to share the financial burdens of the failings of the scheme.

Rossendale Council leader Alyson Barnes said: “Residents and my fellow elected members have been let down by the council in the mismanagement leading up to AAAW going into administration.

“I am doing all I can to make sure that there is a successful conclusion to this project, that its social aims are fulfilled and making sure that processes are put in place so something like this does not happen again.”

In the “Scope of Our Work” section, the report states: “We have not discussed this work with the council’s former chief executive or any current director of AAAW Ltd and have not therefore confirmed our understanding of their actions with them.”