Leigh Town Council 'potential fraud' investigation completed

An investigation was launched and an independent financial audit commissioned at the end of last year at Leigh Town Council after councillor Murat Agdeve noted there were “several items that looked unusual” before payments were made.

The investigation has now been completed and Leigh Town Council chairman Bernard Arscott confirmed “there is no sign of fraud”.

However, he did admit it highlighted areas the council “needed to improve”.

The report will now be presented to councillors at the next meeting.

Mr Arscott said: “The audit report brought up a number of issues and highlighted a number of points where the council needs to improve.

“There is no sign of fraud but there are measures that need to be put in place to bring particular areas up to the requisite standard.

“I believe the audit will be formally accepted, we have the vote and numbers so it should go through without many problems I would think.”

Mr Agdeve put forward the audit as he was concerned at the time, as a relatively new councillor, there had been a change in councillors and the previous administration.

The audit was suggested to ensure all was in order.

At the time, Mr Agdeve told the Echo a resident had raised concerns with him about a “lack of transparency around council finances and public money”.

A spokesman for Leigh Town Council said: “Councillor Agdeve stressed his comments were never directed at any specific member of staff and he did not question anyone’s honesty.

“He wishes to apologise for any detrimental impact that may have been experienced by the town council staff as a result of his words and particularly recognises the diligent work of the assistant responsible finance officer.”

Leigh Town Council has quarterly audits to monitor finances in-house however the audit in question was independent.

The audit is expected to be formally accepted at Leigh Town Council’s meeting on January 16.