A £44,000 investigation into alleged corruption at Skipton Town Council failed to find any wrongdoing, it has emerged.

The investigation, instigated by a small number of councillors and approved by the full council found ‘no evidence whatsoever of corruption or fraudulent activity’.

A separate probe by the police also concluded no wrongdoing, the council has confirmed.

In addition to the £43,960 paid to outside bodies, including the Society for Local Council Clerks (SLCC), the council has in the last few months made financial settlements to former staff members and is facing an employment tribunal later this year.

In a carefully worded statement, discussed and approved by the full council last week, before being published on its website and on social media, the council claims that the investigations, had however revealed ‘a level of governance below that which should be expected’ and has promised to do better in the future.

Since April, last year, three of the six managers have left the authority, including the chief officer, Dave Parker. A fourth, its events manager, is due to leave at the end of the month and the council is currently advertising for a new chief officer.

At last week’s meeting, held via Zoom, shadow leader, Cllr Tony Barrett, asked and had it confirmed that the payout of £43,960, was in addition to settlement of grievances brought against the council by former employees.

He also asked whether the £2,500 in the budget for the coming year would be enough to cover the upcoming industrial tribunal and also referred to potential costs of a claim against the council by one of its own members to do with an alleged data breach and was told by acting clerk Louise Close that it ‘probably would not’.

Last year’s mayor, Cllr Peter Madeley, acknowledged that the £44,000 amount already paid out was an ‘awful of money’ but that the investigations had been approved by full council.

“I said it would be in excess of £20,000, but it is double that, “ he said, adding that additional advice had been needed, although some might not have been ‘value for money’.

In its statement, which Cllr Eric Jaquin suggested ought to be included in the council tax bills due to be sent out by Craven District Council in the coming weeks, the council acknowledges 2020 had been a ‘difficult year’ not only due to coronavirus but ‘due in part to council and councillors failings’.

“It is important to note that there have been external investigations into the town council, including one by the police force, and all councillors accept there is no evidence whatsoever of corruption or fraudulent activity.

“However, the same investigations did reveal a level of governance below that which should be expected.”

The statement continues that while council members are ‘unpaid public servants’, people are ‘entitled to expect both competence and good governance’ and that ‘in both those areas we have failed’.

“When trying to correct for past mistakes and errors, the first step is to acknowledge those mistakes and errors, those we freely admit, and will not repeat.

“The next step is how to ensure, as far as possible, that there is no repetition of those, or similar, matters.To that end there are new systems being put in place, systems which will lead, as swiftly as time allows, to better councillors, a better council, and a speedy return for Skipton to normality from the impact of coronavirus.”

All councillors will now receive training to ‘improve their ability as councillors’ and new key staff will be appointed ‘ as soon as practically possible’.

The statement continues: “Staff and councillors will work, as they should, together, with only one aim, the present and future good of Skipton.

“The people of Skipton will be encouraged to take an active part in council work at such as at council meetings.”

The council also urges members of the public to attend meetings - including the current online meetings held via Zoom, and to view minutes of meetings, published on its website, or by contacting its office, in Skipton Town Hall.

And, it wants residents of the town to get in touch, if they feel there is more councillors can do.

“We have the honour to serve you and our town, and we are determined to live up to that honour and trust.”