Last updated at 12:17, Friday, 05 February 2010

Maryport Town Council has been warned it is under spending – and its bank balance of more than £240,000 is much too large.

The council could now face financial penalties after an internal audit revealed glaring errors in its administration.

The checks showed the town clerk has been illegally employed for more than two years because her contract was not signed and her job description failed to match the work expected of her.

The council has also failed to meet several legal requirements including updating its standing orders and keeping accounts on computer.

Internal auditor Jean Aireys warned the council will face penalties if these matters are not cleared up before an external audit in April.

Finance chairman Mary-Claire Telford has called on councillors to stop laying blame and start working to resolve the situation.

She said many of the problems stemmed from new legislation in 2007.

She said: “We can’t and will not point a finger at individuals or groups.

“We had been doing things the same way and I think everyone failed to get to grips with the new legislation.

“We have to work together to be completely transparent and get to grips with this.”

She said that most urgent was the position of town clerk Lisa Douglas, and then how balances could best be spent in the interests of the people of Maryport and Flimby.

Mrs Douglas began work in November 2007 but her employment contract is yet to be signed. Mayor Peter Cross has refused to sign it because the job description does not match her job.

Mrs Telford, who has led the finance committee since May, said Mrs Douglas’s job description was that of a secretary – but she was being asked to carry out the work of a finance officer as well.

“It is absolutely urgent to get this matter resolved before anything else,” she said.

She said that with the changes in administration that would need to take place she was concerned that they were putting too much pressure on one person.

She added: “If necessary I think we are going to have to get someone in to help – even if it is only someone to do the typing – until we can get this matter resolved.”

Mrs Douglas said she was concerned that errors could be made because, at three hours a day, she did not have time to do all the work required.

First published at 11:24, Friday, 05 February 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk