Decisions for issue Overpayments on the housing repairs and improvement contract

(1)          That the report and the committee’s comments be noted.

(2)          That it is agreed that a report be presented to the Committee on a biannual basis, demonstrating that the council and Mears Ltd have robust processes are in place to avoid any further overpayments. 

That the Audit & Standards Committee:

1)           Note that the council’s housing revenue account was over-charged by an amount estimated by audit at more than £300,000 over a 17 month period for work carried out by a sub-contractor working on the housing repairs and improvements contract.

2)           Note that the council expects to recover the overpayments from the main contractor, Mears Ltd.

3)           Note that the council is working positively with Mears Ltd to identify any other overpayments that may have been made and to prevent any overpayments in the future.