Liverpool Council’s books still cannot be signed off as the wait goes on for the findings of an independent investigation into alleged bribery and corruption within the local authority.
Last summer, Bristol-based law firm TLT LLP was tasked with leading a scope into the local authority’s records to establish whether there is any evidence of “improper influence in the council’s decision making arising from the actions of the former Mayor and former senior officers.” The firm is yet to issue its first stage analysis, despite saying it would be able to deliver within six weeks.
A contract was first signed between the city and TLT LLP in May. During a meeting of Liverpool Council’s audit committee that month, partner Jason Cropper said a technical team was collating data for the probe.
READ MORE: Live updates as police close road after crash
The independent investigation was requested by the council’s own auditors Grant Thornton. Ahead of this month’s meeting of the audit committee, in a written report, the firm said audits on the council’s 2019/20 and 2020/21 remain delayed “due to key factors: awaiting the outcome of the council’s independent investigation into whether the allegations of bribery and corruption extended further than the directorates considered by the Best Value inspection.”
The LDRS understands that its initial findings have yet to be put to the council and the investigation remains ongoing. Upon the instigation of the investigation, Grant Thornton said the books would not be signed off at the Cunard Building until it knew whether problems that have dogged the authority were limited to "a particular area in the council or whether the issues are more pervasive.” The two stage investigation is expected to look to obtain and perform “a structured review of the correspondence and other communications data of key decision-making personnel, including heads of departments and senior managers (and those known to be subject to police investigation) to identify indications of the improper exertion of influence of decision-making processes.”
The role of key management in decision making as well as key areas of risk or opportunity to exert pressure or influence in the decision making process will also come under scrutiny. According to the scope of the investigation, seen by the LDRS, the first phase report will set out any findings of evidence of heightened risk of improper management or political override of controls, an opinion on the risks of fraud, bribery, and corruption etc. during the period of review” and any substantive evidence of incidents of unlawful expenditure.”
Based on those findings, a targeted inquiry will be launched in the second phase “into areas/transactions of heightened risk of manipulation” which the scope expects to include delegated authority and procurement process decisions, peppercorn disposals, interviews with key individuals and transactions involving key elements of management. The findings of the second phase will go towards a report documenting any further findings and recommendations in enhancement of, or supplementary to those reported previously and further evidence on any potential items of substantive unlawful expenditure.
No timescale has been set for the publication of the phase two findings and it is not known what stage the investigation is at.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ MORE:
Mum who lost eight stone shares diet tips that actually work
Family 'struggling to come to terms' with loss of couple in helicopter crash
Peter Kay fans conned out of £380 for Liverpool M&S Arena tickets
Prison officers to appear in court on manslaughter charge
Family 'destroyed' after 'lovely' dad killed by drunk BMW driver
