Which firm audits the Council books? Must be some creative accounting going on.

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See:-

http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/about/

and

http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/work/local_audit.php?year=2008

Thanks for finding that Doon

From Report to Members and the Controller of Audit on the 2008/09 Audit
http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/docs/local/2009/fa_0809_dundee_city.pdf

"36. The guidance says that local authorities should take reasonable steps to ensure that common good fixed asset registers support the assets shown in the common good balance sheet."

Dundee council fail to do this

"The council has not introduced a separate asset register for common good assets nor identified assets explicitly as belonging to the common good within its main asset register."2

Why not these records have been in the stewardship of the council since they were given to the people of Dundee

"Instead, when any asset is identified for disposal by the council the title deeds are checked to see if there are any conditions or burdens attached to the property. This would indicate whether or not it is an asset of the common good fund,enabling appropriate action to be taken."

By this time it may be to late to stop what looks like a distress sale, who then makes the final decision and how much information do they have in the way of conditions attached to the gift before that decision is made. As some gifts to the people of Dundee may have to be returned to the estate where the donation came from, as the object of original donation has ceased in the way it was given and will not benefit all the people of Dundee.

"The council’s view is that reviewing the title deeds at point of sale represents reasonable steps for maintaining the fixed asset register."

Over the past 30 years how many of the people of Dundee have been consulted on these point of sales perhaps just the buyers

"It considers that a title deeds search of all council assets would be time consuming, expensive and possibly inconclusive and assuch would not represent best value."

Why have the council not kept and updated the record's when and as they identified these titles during there normal day to day work I'm sure they would crop up from time to time as over the years as there have been many gifts of land favoring the people of Dundee.

Delighted to see that Doon's persistent and well-researched questions have got an interesting response from the Council, an invitation to meet and discuss the whole matter with the Chief Executive! Well done, sir!!

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From today's Courier, unfortunately not online:-



More news as it comes up...

Thanks again for the update Doon at the start I was concerned this was going to fall on deaf ears and as I'm not in a position to be listened to by the high and mighty.

The Courier today has the Chief Executive quoting the audit report, remember though the report fails to say no risk only a lack of significant risk why cant they say no risk at all or can they mean some unknown risk exists of reducing/depleting the common good fund by poor or inadequate stewardship by the trustees.

Your first question to them should be who has gained by the disposal of Common Good assets in the past 50 years or so, how they were disposed of, who got them and what happened to them. Shouldn't be too surprised to find Tam Moore's name cropping up, with others of his ilk. Second question should be along the lines of why are they kept secret. Yup, I know, I'm a cynical old [censored].

I can assure you that these questions and many others will be asked, sailor! Doon has done his homework.......so have I!

Doonser, if there is a space eh`ll escort ye! ;-)

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Aye, Kerter, your 'style' of corporate presentability would be just the dab, eh?

8=)