Taxpayers' money 'wasted on management review'

Taxpayers' money has been 'wasted' on a council management review from which there will be no final report, says a Devon councillor.

Teignbridge council hired retired local authority chief executive Jeffrey Ligo to review the council's management structure and suggest improvements and potential savings.

But now, after seven months of work, it's been revealed that Mr Ligo has been told not to bother with a final written report to Teignbridge's 46 councillors.

Instead, a report from the council's chief executive, Nicola Bulbeck, on the 'way forward' was considered by the council's ruling Conservative Executive today (October 16).

Opposition Leader, Cllr Alan Connett (Lib Dem), says he was astonished to discover there would not be a final report setting out the consultant's findings and recommendations.

Cllr Connett has been told there would be an 'extra cost' if Mr Ligo had to prepare a report.

"It's astonishing that after seven months of work by an outside consultant that there will be nothing to show for the £8,000 we have been told this review has cost, explained Cllr Connett.

"There was broad agreement that the time was right to review the council's management structure both to improve efficiency and cut costs wherever possible. However, we now find there is to be nothing in writing and the only councillors who have the full detail of a meeting with Mr Ligo are the seven Conservatives on the ruling Executive committee.

"I had a brief meeting with Mr Ligo as did the leader of Teignbridge's Independent councillors in which the consultant outlined his views -- but that is not sufficient when all councillors will want to compare any future changes with his recommendations eventuially, said Cllr Connett.

Councillors on Teignbridge had expected a report from Mr Ligo.

At the last full council meeting, the authority's Leader, Cllr Jeremy Christophers, told members he would 'consider' Cllr Connett's request that a copy of Mr Ligo's final report was made available to them all.

"Clearly, this must be the most expensive non-report ever. Seven months, at least £8,000 of public money and nothing to show for it. Would they run a business like this?," said Cllr Connett