Charity sets deadline for council action

Treasurer Robert Mayfield wrote to the council’s legal department yesterday (Wednesday February 29) calling for an investigation of issues brought to light by the District Auditor in a letter of December 21, 2010 with a view to producing a final report of ‘the required, acceptable quality’.

Otherwise he will begin judicial review proceedings against the council, naming the Audit Commission as an interested party.

The letter sets out a timeline of events and meetings about the historic Market Square building.

It states in Mr Mayfield’s view ‘council actions have fallen well below what is expected of those in public service’ and the trust had raised governance or ethical issues with the council and District Auditor for the last five years ‘without progress’.

“This claim is therefore an action of last resort,” the letter said. “Only the courts can hold the council to account it seems.”