Investigations around fraud and corruption have been launched at Liverpool Council following the publication of a report into a controversial matchday car parking company.
Last month, the local authority revealed what it held about activity surrounding the Beautiful Ideas company (BICo). In 2018, the city council launched an initial assessment into the company that ran car parks for supporters visiting Goodison Park and Anfield on match days, amid allegations of poor practice but the document was never released.
That decision was criticised by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) who said the council had incorrectly withheld the report. Following the release of internal audit documents, it has now been revealed that four probes have been raised by Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson.
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An update into complaints made to Liverpool Council has shown that on September 19, Mayor Anderson had lodged four issues regarding BICo and “standards of conduct”. All of the complaints listed make reference to alleged corruption and fraud, with three of them also citing poor performance.
The register of complaints, which is to be discussed publicly next week by the council’s standards and ethics committee, said all four complaints were being assessed and remained open. In September, ahead of the documents being published, Mayor Anderson said she would request a “thorough investigation to identify any behaviour in this report which demonstrates a breach of procedures or codes of conduct, and for the appropriate action to be taken.”
The documents will be discussed ahead of the council’s next full meeting on November 23 after pressure from opposition groups including the Liberal Party, Liverpool Community Independents and Liberal Democrats. Cllr Anna Rothery, leader of the Liverpool Community Independents, said she was glad the Mayor had launched the probe into alleged fraud and corruption.
She said: “We are committed to rooting out behaviour that is not conducive to ensuring honest open and transparent representation, our elected members must have the best interests of our people and the city at the heart of everything we do.” She added that it must be ensured public funds are distributed for their “sole intended purpose”.
Cllr Rothery said: “I hope the mayor stands firm and is persistent in her endeavours to make sure that no stone is left unturned in search of the truth in this matter.” Deputy leader Cllr Alan Gibbons maintained the group’s calls for an independent inquiry into the company and said the council “should not be marking it’s own homework.”
He added: “The issues here are extremely concerning. If the City Council is to be reset on an open and honest basis it is vital it holds elected members to account for possible breaches.”
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