Call for contracts probe after 'scandalous' report

HERE are calls for answers over a case of a Liberal Democrat-led council awarding more than £80,000 worth of work to companies with alleged undeclared links to officials and a councillor.

- CARMELO GARCIA Local Democracy Reporter

A counter fraud investigation was launched after whistleblowing concerns were raised over procurement at Cotswold District Council (CDC) in October 2024.

The counter fraud and enforcement unit looked into allegations that three companies were engaged outside of the contract rules, according to a report presented at last week’s audit and governance committee meeting.

The concern was that three firms were targeted due to undeclared relationships/connections by those officials and the councillor involved in their procurement.

The council has said it will not be commenting on the identity of any of the individuals involved.

One of the cases related to proposals received by the council for communications support.

A company was recommended by a council official to be commissioned to undertake the work, the report states.

The contract value of the proposals received from all the potential suppliers exceeded £25,000 - and as such a procurement exercise was required.

The initial proposal received from the firm, referred to in the report as Company A, did not provide an accurate assessment of the full contract value.

“It stated that the total value of services to be provided was £18,750 based on £18,000 for the ‘reintegration communications support project’ and £750 per day for the provision of an interim head of communications,’ the report reads.