QUESTIONS continue to be asked about incidents which led to the sacking of 11 Dorset Council interim staff and a lack of oversight and control.

A member of the public, Torsten Mills, has told councillors that their own report had been damaging to the authority on many levels, showing "a complete lack of financial discipline and financial oversight and a mis-management of limited resources".

He said he hoped that criminal charges would follow, action taken to recover over-paid contracts from firms, and the companies involved banned from any future business with the council.

He said that what mattered now was how the council responded to the mistakes and reassured the people of Dorset that it would never happen again.

"What I really fail to grasp is how payments can me made without correct approval, staff can be recruited and pay rises implemented without a paper trail and reserves can be accessed without having to justify every penny spent," he said.

Mr Mills pointed out that a year ago an audit report had warned of a poor attitude towards ethics over financial controls.

"I am sure when the dust settles and investigations are concluded we will be made aware than a criminal investigation has been raised, which I have now seen, against the terminated employees; although possibly a bit too late; and the suppliers who are guilty of over-charging, providing gifts and hospitality are black listed…

"There has to be significant and decisive consequences for those involved internally and externally to help restore trust in the council and its finance department," he said.

Mr Mills said he feared that some of the reactions from councillors might be more about political perception than substance and action.

"It's about following through and delivering the changes required," he said.

Audit and Governance committee chairman, Cllr Gary Suttle, said he realised many people shared the views.

"This situation is very much on-going and rebuilding public trust will be core to how the council moves forward from this," he said.

Pic – Torsten Mills at the audit and governance meeting on Monday evening