THE auditor investigating the actions of Tavistock Town Council during a lengthy and costly legal battle has concluded the authority acted reasonably throughout the long-drawn out affair.

The court case centred on repairs to council-owned properties in 1995 which were not carried out to the council's satisfaction — a legal cloak of secrecy surrounded the case with the authority unable to reveal to the public the facts.

The auditor's report comes as a result of a request by West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett — he was inundated with letters of complaint from disgruntled rate payers after the council raised its precept in 2000/01 by almost 400 per cent to pay legal fees and boost reserves.

The decision affected residents throughout West Devon, because the high precept nudged the borough council's rate increase so much that £60,000 was lost in central government subsidies.

Auditor Alun Williams in his report concluded: 'In my view the council followed reasonable procedures when letting the contracts for the building work and supervision/consultancy work.

'When problems became evident, the council obtained credible legal and technical advice which it followed.

'The eventual settlement from the arbitration resulted in the council receiving more in compensation than it had incurred in costs.'

Mr Williams said the council had 'little choice' but to raise the finances to pay for the legal costs through its

precept.

The report revealed the council paid out a massive £391,000 during the arbitration case. It eventually received payment back of £530,000 — but because final payments were not received until June 2000, the council had 'little option' but to raise funds in the interim through its precept.

'I have examined the committee reports concerning these costs and the consideration of the 2000/01 precept and concluded the council acted reasonably in setting the precept,' said Mr Williams.

The following year, the town council set an extremely low precept of just £70,000, which members felt went some way to repaying the 'loan' from council tax-payers the previous year.

Mayor Norma Woodcock told councillors at this week's meeting that she was 'very pleased' the stranglehold of silence had been lifted and said the auditor's report, which cost the council £1,010.50, was 'very important'.

'I find the report extremely helpful and I hope the people of Tavistock find it a useful explanation of what

occurred during a matter which previously we have not been able to comment on,' she said.

Mr Burnett said: 'The district auditor has come up with a report which has, as I always believed it would, vindicated Tavistock Town Council, which has acted properly throughout.'

Mr Burnett said the report set out clearly the sequence of events, but he was concerned it did not name the parties who were in default of the council — a matter he would be taking up with the auditor.

'Under no circumstances should any

company be entitled to the protection of anonymity when dealing with the tax payers' money,' said Mr Burnett.

Town clerk Roger Howard, said the council was pleased the information was finally in the public domain.

'The report shows there has been no skullduggery,' he said. 'It proves the council have done the right thing all the way through this matter'.

The council agreed this week the finance committee's proposal to set a precept of £175,000 for the coming year.

l See story page 5.