More staff suspended in statutory repairs inquiry

Five more city council staff have been suspended as part of an investigation into £4.5 million worth of property repair contracts.

• Council HQ

The council has now appointed an independent external expert to take charge of the probe, which also involves the police.

The Evening News revealed in November last year that several staff were under investigation over alleged irregularities involving the city's statutory notice system. Only one employee was suspended at that stage.

Today, however, council chiefs confirmed five more staff in its property conservation section had been put under "precautionary suspension" while the investigation continues.

Statutory notices allow the council to carry out essential repairs to private properties and then recoup the costs from the owners. Around 3000 statutory repair notices are served on properties each year.

Councillors have been told the investigation is looking at "a wide range of allegations".

SNP councillor Stefan Tymkewycz, who has previously raised questions about over-charging and unnecessary work being carried out under statutory repair notices, welcomed the investigation.

He said: "I have raised concerns regarding statutory notice procedure in the past and I continue to have discussions with council officers regarding the best way forward for maintaining and repairing buildings in Edinburgh, whether by statutory notice or any other procedure.

"I welcome this ongoing investigation, but obviously cannot comment any further at this time."

Council insiders said they did not know how long the investigation was likely to last but added senior management were keen to see it concluded as quickly as possible.

The council statement said: "Five members of staff in the council's property conservation section have been placed under precautionary suspension.

"Under the council's code of conduct, precautionary suspensions are not an indication of guilt but rather a measure to ensure that matters can be properly investigated.

"An external expert has been appointed to undertake these investigations and will work closely with the council's internal audit team and Lothian and Borders Police.

"The investigation will cover possible breaches of codes of practice as well as a number of other matters including more general, operational concerns about the service."

Mark Turley, director of the council's services for communities department, added: "The complaints being looked at are potentially of a very serious nature. We're determined to ensure that they are investigated independently as a matter of urgency to allow the service to move forward."