MP Lisa Smart
Cllr Lisa Smart
Cllr Clarke
Cllr Roberts
34 Stockport Road
Romiley
Stockport
SK6 3AA

By recorded delivery

Wednesday, 18 July 2024

Dear All

Financial 2

This is the procedure you must all follow if a council taxpayer reports council wrongdoing to you.  You didn’t.

When a local councillor is made aware of financial irregularities, it is essential that they follow a structured and ethical approach to address the issue effectively and responsibly. Here are the steps a councillor should take:

1. Acknowledge the Concern

  • Listen carefully to the individual reporting the irregularities and take detailed notes of the information provided.
  • Thank the person for bringing the matter to their attention and assure them that the concern will be taken seriously.

2. Maintain Confidentiality

  • Ensure that the identity of the whistleblower is protected to the extent possible, and reassure them about confidentiality.
  • Avoid discussing the matter with anyone who does not need to know about it.

3. Gather Information

  • Collect all relevant information and documentation related to the reported irregularities.
  • Ask for specifics such as dates, amounts, involved parties, and any evidence the whistleblower might have.

4. Follow Procedures

  • Refer to the council’s established policies and procedures for reporting and handling financial irregularities.
  • Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

5. Report Internally

  • Report the issue to the appropriate internal body, such as the council’s internal audit department, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), or a designated fraud investigation team.
  • If the council has a whistleblowing policy, follow the steps outlined in that policy.

6. Escalate if Necessary

  • If the issue involves senior management or if internal reporting mechanisms are compromised, escalate the concern to higher authorities such as the council leader, the external auditor, or relevant regulatory bodies.

7. Monitor the Process

  • Keep track of the progress of the investigation to ensure it is being handled appropriately.
  • Request regular updates and ensure that the investigation is thorough and impartial.

8. Ensure Resolution

  • Ensure that appropriate actions are taken based on the findings of the investigation.
  • This may include disciplinary action, policy changes, or legal proceedings if necessary.

9. Protect the Whistleblower

  • Make sure that the whistleblower is protected from retaliation or adverse consequences.
  • Ensure they are kept informed about the general progress and outcome of the investigation, within confidentiality limits.

10. Review and Learn

  • After the issue is resolved, review the process to identify any weaknesses in the council’s procedures that allowed the irregularities to occur.
  • Work on implementing stronger controls and preventive measures to avoid future occurrences.

11. Public Communication

  • Depending on the severity and public interest in the issue, consider how to communicate the outcome to the public while maintaining necessary confidentiality.
  • Be transparent about steps taken to address the issue and prevent future irregularities.

Conclusion

Handling financial irregularities with integrity, transparency, and adherence to proper procedures is crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring the effective functioning of the council. By following these steps, a local councillor can address the issue responsibly and help maintain ethical standards within the council.Bottom of Form

The Council Monitoring Officer, Bates, appears to have belatedly admitted that I was correct in identifying a circa £200k error in the council report. I have been trying very hard for 15 years to report this to all of you.  You all claimed I was being vexatious and rude and offensive.  The Information Commissioner decided I had never been rude or offensive and the Council holds no evidence that I ever had been.

The Vale View school went from £5.5m in October 2005 to £7.5m in December 2005 and then on to £10m a few months later.  This is before the contamination remediation costs were added after the Council was forced to acknowledge the site was entirely contaminated with lead, arsenic and brown asbestos.

I want to know the final cost of the school including remediation costs – and I have been asking constantly since 2011 but was illegally prevented from doing so.  I have been quoted a price of £1,400,000 for this sort of work on this sort of site. 

I will sort out corruption at Stockport Council however long it takes me.

Yours

Sheila Oliver