Funding fiasco report out soon

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.”