Council told to say sorry after ‘admin error’

Mar 24 2008 by Jean Parry, South Wales Echo

A COUNCIL has been told to apologise after the Ombudsman said he found a “clear act of maladministration” against it.

The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, Adam Peat, said Caerphilly council’s deliberate non-compliance with its tender policy bore out his finding of maladministration.

In his report, Mr Peat recommended to the authority that it should apologise to a man identified only as “Mr R” and pay £1,600 in recognition of the costs he incurred, as well as a further £100.

The issue centred on the way in which the council dealt with a tendering process for a piece of land, a former school site, which had become surplus to requirements.

After an administrative error, the original tender exercise was declared null and void.

A second one got under way and a tender submitted by a housing association should have been disregarded but was not, even though Mr R submitted the highest bid.

Caerphilly council had said it had a need to secure adequate provision of affordable housing in the area.