NEWS of the latest cock-up at the town hall, namely the million pound plus budget overspend at Salt Ayre Phase 2 (swimming pool), presents the local public of this area with an excellent opportunity to test the integrity of many councillors, who were elected by us on the basis of their pledge that public accountability would be reinstated at the town hall if they were put into the corridors of power. Following the invitation by Citizen Smith for officers and councillors to tell us what happened, it is disappointing to observe that there has been no explanation or apology from the town hall whatsoever.

As a local council tax payer, I wish to publicly ask our temporary chief executive, Mr David Corker, to respond to the following key questions concerning the management of this contract :-

1. Were the consultant surveyors commissioned to supply monthly financial statements during the construction phase of the project as part of their professional services contract?

2. If these statements were issued was this information conveyed to the elected members upon its receipt at the town hall?

3. Did the information on the statement prove to be accurate and good advice? I suggest that Mr. Corker should provide copies of these to councillors and also at the offices of the Citizen.

I look forward to receiving a response in the Citizen, perhaps responsible councillors could ensure that one appears.

Public servant

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.