PaulRogan

Like all things in life, there is much change. We hear recently of new and interesting plans for the Sugden's site, now reportedly and finally supported by Calderdale Council. The past is however still not forgotten, many people continue to wonder why the saga started, why it went on for so long and how much exactly has it cost in taxpayers money.

I recently came by a copy of the following. I have no information as to its authenticity and do not believe that I have been made aware of such information as an Elected Member of the Council, but take it in good faith and have reproduced it exactly.

At the end of the day, the Tory Cabinet are those held responsible by the electorate; the people of Brighouse have a right to demand proper answers

Appendix 2 - Sudgen Mill findings

Extract from Grant Thornton Letter to the Chief Executive (March 2008)

For future projects, the Council will need assurance that it has adequate arrangements in place to ensure:

• Sufficient, dedicated, suitable experienced officer resource is made available to manage projects, any objections and inquiries.
• Sufficient and timely input is received from the Council's statutory officers to properly discharge their legal and financial duties in relation to projects, and objections and inquiries.
• Clear accountability is assigned, at a senior level, for such projects.
• Adequate arrangements for supervision and review, particularly in periods of prolonged absence of line management.
• A project plan and risk register is produced and maintained to facilitate effective management.
• Where external legal input is sought, that it is fit for purpose and that responsibility and accountability was retained by the Council for information and decisions.
• There are robust arrangements for record keeping, internal communication and escalation of significant issues.
• Financial, legal and value for money issues are fully evaluated and kept under review.

Summary of Internal Audit findings (June 2008)

There was a lack of formal strategic management of the scheme.

Governance, senior accountability, project roles, project resourcing, statutory officer involvement, communication, documentation and risk management were lacking and internal audit raised a number of recommendations in relation to each of these areas.