Audit Commission criticises Liverpool City Council

Jan 29 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL City Council has been singled out as the only council in the country that performed below minimum requirements in the way it spends money.

The Audit Commission gave the council a score of one overall in its Use of Resources 2007 report into local authority finances.

Earlier this month district auditor Tim Watkinson warned Liverpool's "weak" financial position may continue to deteriorate in 2008.

The latest report from the Audit Commission released today also criticises the council for performing below minimum requirements in financial management and financial standing.

Deputy Labour leader Cllr Paul Brant said this was "concrete evidence" of financial mismanagement by the Liberal Democrat administration.

"Council tax payers are going to end up paying for their incompetence."