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OFFICERS SUSPENDED AFTER CONTRACTS REPORT

By Richard Wright - Monday, February 19, 2007
A DAMNING report has resulted in the suspension of three senior officers from the IW Council.
Deputy chief executive John Lawson, director of regeneration and development Derek Rowell and Paul Wilkinson, the director of finance, have been suspended pending an investigation.
On Wednesday a meeting of the full IW Council will consider a recommendation from chief executive Joe Duckworth to set up a cross-party investigatory and disciplinary committee.
It will investigate the circumstances leading up to the letting of contracts to High-Point Rendel for work at Undercliff Drive in preparation for the planned new £13 million road.
It will consider advice from external lawyers in relation to the current contract and ensure action is taken to remedy procurement in the future and investigate what, if any, action needs to be taken against council officers.
The report found that, in 2001, the council acted either in ignorance or disregard of the procurement rules and regulations and the council’s own constitution and that the appointment of High-Point Rendel by the old administration was unlawful.
But the council said it had found no evidence of dishonesty.
The independent report by a senior officer of Southampton City Council released this evening (Monday) found that despite the situation being known to some officers of the council through independent legal advice received more than two years ago, no action appeared to have been taken.
The district auditor has said he is satisfied with the action now being taken by the council and there is currently no need for him to investigate further.