at an extraordinary meeting.
Councillor James Swindlehurst (Lab: Cippenham Green), leader, was faced with tough questions from the opposing Conservatives and Independents following the highly critical papers of the local authority’s financial governance.
In the external auditor’s reports, Grant Thornton UK LLP found:
insufficient capacity and skills within the finance department
inadequate preparation of financial statements
inadequate general and earmarked revenue reserves
inadequate governance, monitoring and controls over the council’s outside groups and companies
At an extraordinary audit and corporate governance committee on Tuesday, May 18, the leader of the Conservatives, councillor Wayne Strutton (Haymill and Lynch Hill), heavily criticised the leader and asked him when he was made aware of the issues highlighted in the reports.