Lib Dems on audit warpath

LIBERAL Democrat leader has accused the Conservative-run Brentwood Council of not taking responsibility over its accounting mess.

David Kendall made the comments after an Audit Commission report on the council's accounts for 2008/9, gave the council the lowest possible rating - Level 1 - for its use of resources and gave it an "inadequate" rating for value for money.

Council leader Louise McKinlay has said the errors were caused by "administrative failures" dating back decades, but said improvements were being made.

However, Mr Kendall said the problems were down to the five year Conservative administration, and demanded an apology for residents.

He said: "When the Liberal Democrats ran Brentwood from 1991 to 2004 we never had a situation where the Audit Commission wouldn't sign off our accounts.

"We also often received a 'good' rating which is far better than the pathetic Level 1 we have got at the moment.

"This report is proof, if proof is needed, that the Conservatives running Brentwood have totally lost the plot."

He added: "Louise McKinlay should at least apologise to residents for what has happened and take some responsibility for the mistakes."