Lynne Featherstone

Cllr Wayne Hoban, Deputy Leader of the Lib Dem group in the London Borough of Haringey, has written to Haringey Council’s new Chief Executive demanding an urgent response to his request, under the Freedom of Information guidelines, for a full copy of the The Bridge New Deal for Communities project’s last audited accounts, including auditor’s notes.

Cllr Hoban had originally requested this information from the NDC Programme Director at the beginning of June in response to receipt of a copy of a letter sent by local residents to the Office of The Deputy Prime Minister in November 2004, in which they had requested an independent forensic accountant to look into the finances of this community-led, government-funded programme.

Although the NDC Programme Director has responded to Cllr Hoban’s enquiry, the audited accounts have not yet been produced, despite an assurance given on 15 July that we are in the process of pulling together the information.

Cllr Hoban states:

“In view of the serious nature of allegations made concerning the financial management and accountability of this important multi-million pound project, it is vital that the audited accounts be produced immediately. Any delays will fuel the suspicion that there is something to hide. It is essential that the financial management of this project is seen to be transparent and accountable so that it receives the full backing of the local community it is designed to benefit.”