The litany of shortcomings at Liverpool Council that has led to a multi-million pound increase in energy costs has been laid bare.
A devastating report was published into the expensive energy contract howler at the Cunard Building earlier this year and now the details behind the foul-up have been revealed. Accountants Mazars, who were commissioned by the Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson, to carry out an external investigation have identified gaps in the council’s own audit process, criticised individual decision making and accused the authority of failing to learn lessons from previous contract renewals.
While the 42-page report did not shine a favourable light on former chief executive Tony Reeves’ leadership, the accountants’ assessment is equally critical across the whole organisation. It said Lee Kinder, assistant director of asset management, failed to inform cabinet as early as March of Scottish Power’s (SP) decision to temporarily close its trade desks, which ultimately led to the move to a more expensive tariff.
