Guildford council report finds serious areas of concern

Guildford Borough Council shares some senior staff with neighbouring Waverley

A report has identified "a number of serious areas of concern" as an alleged fraud investigation continues.

Guildford Borough Council said further investigation was needed in its housing maintenance review, following concerns about contracts for housing repairs.

Surrey Police previously confirmed it had escalated its fraud investigation to a regional organised crime unit.

Two senior officers have agreed to step back on a temporary basis from their respective roles, the council said.

Strategic directors for community and wellbeing, Annie Righton, and for transformation and governance, Ian Doyle, will step back "to protect the integrity of the investigation", the council says.

They were responsible for the relevant service area at the time the contracts were let, a spokesperson said.

They said a meeting of the joint senior staff committee would be held as soon as possible and will be asked to authorise an investigation into whether correct governance processes were followed in the letting and management of housing maintenance contracts.

The council said an external law firm will be retained to conduct this investigation.

'Robust action'

Guildford shares some staff with neighbouring Waverley Borough Council in a move that was agreed in 2021 to save the authorities money.

Pedro Wrobel, the new chief executive at both councils starts on Monday, earlier than planned.

He said he would ensure the council had the right systems in place to safeguard the public's money, and would take "robust action where necessary".

Mr Wrobel said: "When it comes to public money, nothing is more important than propriety and value.

"I will be working with officers, councillors, external investigators and auditors to get to the bottom of these issues and account for every penny."

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