The IW Council had pledged to act swiftly and decisively on a number of recommendations received in a report into how work was illegally procured on the Undercliff Drive project.
For the last nine months, investigators from solicitors Wragge and Co have been probing how work was let to consultants following a landslip at the Undercliff in 2001.
Wragge and Co were called in by the council after independent reports had found work was let without following the correct procedures. The final Wragge report was presented this morning (Thursday) to the council’s Investigatory and Disciplinary Committee.
The document lists a series of failings in both the individual performance of officers and in the council’s contract procurement procedures at the time. The Wragge report also makes a number of recommendations on what needs to be done to make procedures more robust.
After the meeting, Joe Duckworth, IW Council chief executive said: “The Wragge and Co report makes uncomfortable reading in that it highlights there were widespread and systematic failings in the council’s systems.
“But that the scale of the short-comings was so great confirms to me that the decision to hold such a painstaking and independent investigation was most certainly the right one.
“But it is crucial that we now learn the lessons from this unfortunate episode. It is our duty to Islanders to ensure that we operate to the highest standards of probity and within clear procurement frameworks to ensure we do not find ourselves in this position again.”
Mr Duckworth said: “These recommendations will now be carefully studied and implemented where necessary. However I believe significant steps have already been taken by the council to bolster processes that clearly needed strengthening.
“Last week for example, the IW Council approved a new Procurement and Contracts Code. This gives clear guidance on all aspects of procurement and, had it been in place and followed at the time the problems with the Undercliff arose, then I am sure we would now not be in the position we are.
“This code is one that now offers protection to the council, to ratepayers, and also to us as employees.”
IDC chairman Cllr George Brown, said: “The inquiry has been conducted in a judicious and thorough manner. Members have been faced with some difficult decisions but they have not shied away from their duty in ensuring the required standards of professionalism and probity are upheld.”
