Letter: There Was No Indication from Whom the Latest HRA Investigation Report Came

Published on: 19 Feb, 2024
Updated on: 19 Feb, 2024

From: Patrick Oven

leader of the Guildford Greenbelt Group at Guildford Borough Council

In response to: Senior Directors Step Back Following New Report on Fraud & Overspend Investigation

It is very difficult to comment on the latest news on the Housing Revenue Account investigation when so little information is provided. We were simply advised that a report had been received regarding the investigation that “identified a number of serious areas of concern”.

There was no indication from whom the report came, when it was received, or any information about what the areas of concern were. I hope and trust we will be provided with more information in due course.

For my part, I had no knowledge of any development in the investigation prior to the press release on Friday evening. I assume the same is true of other party leaders on GBC.

I was however contacted by Cllr McShane [Lib Dem council leader] on Saturday but she was not able to provide me with any further detail at this stage.

I understand that no personal impropriety is being alleged against Annie Righton or Ian Doyle, who are stepping back simply by virtue of the positions they held in their respective departments.