AUDIT chiefs in Sandwell are asking for Government guidance on dealing with misconduct following the well-publicised and serious allegations of fraud within the authority.

Sandwell Council’s audit and risk assurance committee has agreed for a letter to be sent to the Home Secretary and Director of Public Prosecutions asking for the police and prosecutors to be given more powers to take action.

The call follows a series of recent internal investigations by the council’s ethics and standards committee into the conduct of some councillors.

Some of whom have been adjudged to have breached the members’ code of conduct, while other matters are still pending, and although allegations have been referred to West Midlands Police, the evidence available did not meet the thresholds for criminal prosecution.

Audit committee bosses say they are concerned there is currently an “extremely high threshold” for misconduct by councillors and staff to be considered a crime by police, which could lead to a “lack of public confidence” in the council.

Councillor Liam Preece, chairman of the audit and risk assurance committee, said the council accepts the decision of the police, but is writing to the Government to bring the committee’s concerns to their attention.

He added: “We hope that the relevant guidance issued to police forces in relation to the threshold criteria for such offences could be reviewed.

“We feel that in cases of multiple serious breaches of the code of conduct, the police should feel more justified to bring charges against elected members to restore and maintain public confidence.

“It is hard for the taxpayers of Sandwell to think a politician can break council standards rules several times but the police cannot charge them with a crime.

“In a democracy where public representatives must be held to account, that just doesn’t make sense to me.”

The full letter (below) was approved by the committee at its meeting yesterday (Thursday, February 22). It can be downloaded at www.sandwell.gov.uk/auditletter.

Halesowen News:

Halesowen News:

Halesowen News: