NI Conservatives’ representative, Mark Brotherston, has accused North Down Borough Council of “years of extravagance”, after it was revealed that it was £37 million in debt, up to 31st March 2012.
“This is the second highest council debt in the province, which is an extremely worrying statistic”, Mark explained. “Some of that deficit may have been invested in services, but it is undeniable that a culture of inefficiency and waste has made a sizeable contribution. Now the council’s total liabilities total almost £60 million.”
“Against this background the annual audit of the council’s accounts found serious issues around managing contracts, credit control and managing debts. This sort of sloppy, spendthrift attitude is simply not acceptable and it is a burden that will ultimately cost ratepayers.”
“NI Conservatives will always push for greater accountability, greater efficiency and less waste in council. Let’s see our local politicians and officials taking responsibility for rate-payers’ money, spending it more wisely and stamping out ruthlessly the culture of waste and extravagance, which has been allowed to flourish in North Down.”