Labour fury over £1m Flintshire County Council error

Feb 9 2010 by Dave Goodban, Flintshire Chronicle

THE leader of Flintshire’s Labour group has called for the resignation of a top Tory after a £1m council blunder.

Connah’s Quay Cllr Aaron Shotton has slammed Conservative executive member for education Nigel Steele-Mortimer after it emerged the council had overpaid Flintshire’s 12 secondary schools by £1m.

The council is now attempting to claw back the money, but the Labour group is warning that schools could be placed at financial risk if they are forced to do so.

Opposition councillors also fear forced cutbacks could lead to jobs losses.

Cllr Shotton, a governor at Connah’s Quay High School, said: “This is pure incompetence and I would call upon the Tory councillor responsible for education to consider his position.

“Concern is growing that next year’s budget cuts will hit the county’s school budgets hard, and if our schools are forced to pay back the £1m then the situation could prove disastrous for our children’s education.”

Deputy Labour leader Cllr Bernie Attridge, who is also on the Connah’s Quay High board of governors, said: “I believe heads should roll. This is a very serious situation.”

An internal investigation is now being carried out at County Hall, with the results are expected tomorrow.