Tory councillors have claimed that Wolverhampton Council’s reputation is “in tatters” and the authority’s external auditors criticised its management of the Civic Halls refurbishment.
Auditors Grant Thornton presented their annual audit findings for the council at a special meeting of the Audit and Risk Committee today (31st July). In what is believed to be a first for the Labour-run authority, the auditors issued a “qualified ‘except for’ conclusion” on its overall value for money due to the Civic Halls project.
In a damning critique of the council’s project management of the Civic Halls, it was revealed that only £10,000 was originally budgeted for asbestos removal in a single area of the building. That figure then shot up to £2.8 million after the initial asbestos survey undertaken was not proven to be reliable.
The project management budget was reduced, in a move which Grant Thornton acknowledged that they questioned.
In a further blow to the council, Grant Thornton state that warnings from teams involved in the Civic Halls project were not listened to. The report states that “Corporate Procurement’s advice was not always followed during the project and […] the competency of individuals have been questioned. We also note that Internal Audit highlighted non-compliance with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules regarding engagement of externally provided project management services”.
Grant Thornton conclude that “the management arrangement for the Civic Halls were not adequate and that therefore a qualified ‘except for’ value for money conclusion will be given.”
Tettenhall Regis Conservative councillor Jonathan Yardley, who is Vice Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, said: “This report from the external auditors is a damning indictment of the council’s ability to manage large-scale development projects. The Labour-run authority’s reputation is in tatters.
“The auditors have made it clear that the appropriate surveys were not undertaken at the beginning of the project and, appallingly, processes and procedures were not followed. This is a shocking revelation. How can Wolverhampton residents have faith in this council to adequately spend their money?
“Sadly I fear this is not the last we will hear about problems with the Civic Halls refurbishment. Labour’s handling of this vitally important cultural building has been a disgrace.”
