The investigation into potentially millions of pounds misallocated from the Guildford Borough Council‘s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) was conducted privately, excluding both the public and press during a recent meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee. This continued secrecy has raised concerns about transparency in local governance.
Committee Meeting Excludes Public Input
During the session held on January 21, 2024, Cllr Philip Brooker, the committee chair, stated that legal advice dictated the need for confidentiality regarding the investigation. Despite this, he confirmed that the findings would return to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee rather than proceeding directly to the Executive, a move that had been suggested earlier.
Cllr Brooker emphasized that future reports should be structured to maximize public discussion, adhering to the council’s commitment to transparency, which has been a point of contention among council members.
Calls for Greater Transparency
Cllr George Potter, representing the Liberal Democrats in Burpham, expressed frustration over the lack of public access to even a high-level summary of the investigation. He argued that certain topics discussed did not necessitate legal confidentiality and should have been made available for public scrutiny.
Cllr Maddy Redpath of the Residents for Guildford and Villages echoed this sentiment, noting her disappointment that the committee’s recommendations were not publicly read out, as had been previously agreed by the Chief Executive Officer and the monitoring officer. Redpath pointed out that the decision to exclude the public from discussions undermined the council’s stated transparency goals.
Despite suggestions to reconvene in public to summarize the committee’s recommendations, Cllr Brooker declined, further intensifying calls for accountability and openness within the council’s operations.
The ongoing investigation and the council’s handling of the situation are likely to be scrutinized by both the public and local media as stakeholders demand clearer communication and transparency regarding financial accountability.
