BRINGING waste management services back in-house is to cost the taxpayer an additional £1.1m a year, it has been revealed. 

The figure was noted in an external audit of the council carried out by Grant Thornton. 

The report said the one-off transition cost of bringing the service back into council hands was £400,000.

Earlier this year, FCC Environment and Barrow Borough Council agreed to an early termination of FCC's contract.

Separately, the audit report went on to note 'significant weaknesses in the council's procurement and contract management arrangements'.

The report said: "The council is failing to demonstrate and apply the principles and values of sound governance in its procurement arrangements. 

"This is leading to ineffective procurement of supplies and services to support the delivery of strategic priorities.

"This failure to adhere to the council purchasing and contract standing orders means that it is difficult for the council to demonstrate that it has achieved value for money in all procurement decisions.

"Furthermore, these weaknesses increase the exposure risk of fraud in procurement and increase the potential for legal challenge from unsuccessful suppliers."

Issues with the waste management contract were among those highlighted. 

The report said: "The council awarded a waste contract to an external contractor from April 2017.

"Internal audit conducted a review of the waste contract tender in January 2017 and found the contract documentation was incomplete.

"There was a two-year delay in completing the council's pre-contract checklist, which should have been completed prior to awarding the contract.

"Internal audit completed the review of the waste contract in May 2019 and reported restricted assurance due to the failure to complete the required documentation on a timely basis, which meant the council was unable to demonstrate whether the tender process had been completed appropriately. 

"Some of the key documentation was completed incorrectly or, in some instances, had not been retained for inspection."

The report acknowledged that the council had made changes, including adopting a new procurement strategy from April 2022.

There was discussion about the report at a full meeting of Barrow Borough Council on Tuesday evening.

Cllr Alan Pemberton said: "This is a very damning report, isn't it. 

"I have been complaining about the performance of contractors since 2010, as everybody knows."

The report was presented to councillors by Gareth Kelly, a director at Grant Thornton. 

Cllr Tony Callister felt councillors were being made to feel like 'naughty schoolkids' and said to Mr Kelly: "I'd like to know who has invited you."

Mr Kelly responded: "The report acknowledges the progress that the council has made,

"I'm duty-bound to bring the report to you in this format."

Cllr Anne Burns, chairman of the audit and governance committee, said: "We welcome external audit. We welcome people coming in and helping.

"This is not a council that shies away from external audit."