Angus Council moves to plug gap following £435K procurement mix-up

Angus Council has moved to plug a gap in its procedures after a mix-up over a £435,000 order for a fleet of 65 community-care vehicles.

The small cars are used by social work staff across the district to help look after people in their own homes, but a report going before today’s meeting of the council’s social work committee has revealed their procurement was not officially signed off as it should have been.

The report states, “In December 2009, 65 of these vehicles were due to be replaced. All such requests are administered by the fleet services section within neighbourhood services.

“The director of social work and health signed the authorisation form valued at £435,000, believing that committee approval already existed via neighbourhood services committee competitive tendering protocol for procuring such vehicles.”

Fleet services then bought the vehicles, which are now in use.

The report adds, “During a recent internal audit, it emerged that specific committee approval for this expenditure should have been arranged by the director of social work and health.

“It should be noted that seeking approval via social work and health committee would not have altered the decisions about the type of vehicle to be procured or the provider and the related cost.

“Therefore, there are no implications in terms of procurement efficiency or achieving Best Value.

“The director has established internal procedures to ensure that this error is not repeated.

“Committee is also asked to note that the heads of finance and law and administration are currently clarifying the procedures that should be followed to avoid any repetition of this scenario.”

Last night, SNP councillor and former social work convener Glennis Middleton said she was satisfied that the error had been a genuine mistake, but questions remained over how the mix-up had been handled.

“In this instance I believe the director acted in all good faith with procedures already in place for many years and I don’t believe any blame attaches to that department.

“I would agree that belt and braces is always a good idea, but I think what would have been helpful is for a report to go to the last full meeting of Angus Council clarifying the situation to all members rather than being done this way.”