Investigation clears officers of taking bribes

The authority said it had found “no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of any individual”

A council has said it has carried out a “thorough investigation” after a whistleblower accused some officers of taking money and gifts in exchange for contracts.

Concerns were raised about procurement in Oxfordshire County Council's Supported Transport Unit which has duties such as organising journeys to school.

The council said Thames Valley Police had been notified but had concluded the threshold for a criminal investigation had not been reached.

The authority said it had investigated these concerns and found “no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of any individual”.

However, it added that "there was a need to review and improve some internal processes".

"Those improvements are now being implemented,” the statement concluded.

The Supported Transport unit is responsible for the provision of transport of pupils to schools or college, and for pupils who live some distance away from their educational provision.

The unit is overseen by the head of Supported Transport who has two different teams responsible for contract management activities and contract procurement activities.

The annual report of the chief internal auditor also noted "several weaknesses in the contract procurement processes and controls".

It cited inconsistencies with documentation and a "lack of segregation of duties" and "monitoring processes".

The auditing team had tested several contracts and found that some had not been signed by the Council or by the supplier.