Swanton Morley council cleared

A parish council says it has been cleared of claims of malpractice after an independent investigation into its accounts. A complaint was made against Swanton Morley Parish Council and sparked a row - resulting in one parish councillor resigning over a �43,000 contract for street lights.

A parish council says it has been cleared of claims of malpractice after an independent investigation into its accounts.

A complaint was made against Swanton Morley Parish Council and sparked a row - resulting in one parish councillor resigning over a �43,000 contract for street lights.

An external auditor has now published its report into the council's 2007/8 accounts. Mazars LLP, appointed by the Audit Commission, said the council should ensure it complies fully with its standing orders and financial regulations when entering in to contracts - something the council did not do in its first phase of its street light replacement project.

It also said the council's minutes must clearly record all decisions made by the council. Other than these points, there were no issues it felt did not meet relevant legislation or regulations.

Council chairman Roger Atterwill said issues raised had already been addressed by the council as part of

its project to attain Quality Council status and the matter had left the council with a �6,130 bill.