THE BOROUGH'S Leisure department is again under fire following an investigation into the setting up of fitness suites.

After a row over the closing of Crewe Swimming Pool for a full structural survey the baths are once more in the limelight.

A decision to keep the privately run fitness suite there open during the examination sparked last week's controversy.

Now a District Auditor's report has prompted more criticism of council officials and leaders.

The controlling Labour group is claiming that the council has been vindicated of any wrong-doing whilst critics allege that the findings are "damning" and are calling for action.

Lib Dem Cllr Gwyn Griffiths claims the council broke its own financial rules by entering into contracts with Pulse Fitness suite operators at Crewe and Nantwich pools and Shavington Leisure Centre.

At Nantwich the sauna was closed to make way for the new development, angering regular users. They called in the District Auditor to investigate the contracts.

This group of users has been blamed for costing taxpayers £10,000 with their "antics". Council leader Peter Kent accuses them of being mischief makers and wasting public money.

The council had obtained fitness suites at no cost. It was an innovative move that was proving to be a great benefit to the public as the District Auditor pointed out in her report, he said.

"The council officers have, however, been picked up on some administrative points. The criticism will be accepted and changes made to tighten up procedures," he added.

But the criticised procedures should not be taken lightly, claims Cllr Griffiths.

Important files and records related to the contract had gone missing and the Auditor admits it was impossible for her to "provide any assurance about the conduct and probity of dealings between council staff and contractors", he said.

"And if anyone is responsible for the bill faced by the tax payers it is the council and not the public-spirited residents who raised these concerns," he added.

A call for the officers involved to be disciplined was made by Conservative councillors when the key Policy Committee met on Tuesday. The other two parties voted against and the move failed.

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