Consultants hired without following proper process

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Monday, 28 September 2020 08:05

By Carmelo Garcia - Local Democracy Reporter

Herefordshire Council has spent more than £62,286 on consultants without properly following procurement processes, according to official documents.

This information has come to light as part of answer to a public question which asked what issues have been found in the £27m South Wye Transport Package by internal auditors.

Last September, auditors completed the first phase of a report into the transport scheme which includes the proposed road that would link the A49 Ross road with the A465 Abergavenny road south of Hereford.

However, the second phase report has found that while procedures have been developed they have not yet been implemented completely and extra weaknesses have been found.

This second phase review of project governance for the SWTP which covers May 2018 to October 2019 found several control weaknesses.

There is also a lack of information or there are issues with accuracy and consistency of information across minutes and agendas, project sponsor information, assumptions details and issues and action logs.

“Control frameworks to minimise the possibility of operational decisions not being recorded and risks not being identified are in place via the existing early warning notice process,” a council response reads.

“It is however noted that the system process requires development to ensure sign off and escalation are part of this framework.

“Procurement processes regarding the use of three consultants to the total value of £62,286 have not been followed appropriately, it is noted one of these was procured outside of the scope of the audit however further payments were made to the supplier within the scope timeframe.”