Council accepts blunders made in huge land deal


Ards Council in Northern Ireland has come under fire in a report by the audit office for the its handling of commercial property transaction, and in particular, for failing to get the best price for the 15-acre site of land.

The transaction was agreed in 2003 and involved the sale of a former abattoir on the Portaferry Road for to Castle Bawn Developments for £7.25million. The arrival of a new Chief Executive at the Council in April 2004 saw a review of the deal leading to an increase of the sale price by another £2million.

The report by the auditor described the commercial property transaction as the "biggest" the council is likely to be involved in, and said that substantial errors were made by the Council, including relying on cheap professional advice, not enforcing contractual conditions, and not keeping councillors adequately informed. A public meeting was held in the council's chamber to discuss the report, and 14 councillors voted in favour of accepting recommendations by the auditor.

Ards Mayor David Smyth said the Council had "accepted the auditor's recommendations" and that it had "learned a very valuable lesson".



 

 


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