This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7359875.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Council carpeted over tendering Council carpeted over tendering
(40 minutes later)
Larne Borough Council has been advised to review how it tenders for contracts, after a developer was chosen in "a seriously flawed process".Larne Borough Council has been advised to review how it tenders for contracts, after a developer was chosen in "a seriously flawed process".
Northern Ireland Ombudsman Tom Frawley said the council's chosen developer should have his contract rescinded.Northern Ireland Ombudsman Tom Frawley said the council's chosen developer should have his contract rescinded.
He was selected to develop publicly owned land in Glenarm. Mr Frawley found that the selection process was flawed at every stage.He was selected to develop publicly owned land in Glenarm. Mr Frawley found that the selection process was flawed at every stage.
The council has unanimously accepted the ombudsman's findings.The council has unanimously accepted the ombudsman's findings.
The council's chief executive Geraldine McGahey said the finding clearly identified flaws in the process and they needed to start again.
"More importantly, it affords us the opportunity to get it right, to work in partnership with the community in Glenarm, the wider population in the Borough of Larne and all of the stakeholders," she said.
'Unfair advantage'
Former independent councillor John Anderson brought the matter into the public domain with a Freedom of Information request.Former independent councillor John Anderson brought the matter into the public domain with a Freedom of Information request.
He said that the report was a comment effectively on how badly the area was governed in some instances.
"The Ombudsman's conclusion was significant maladministration, that's just about as bad a report as a council can get," he said."The Ombudsman's conclusion was significant maladministration, that's just about as bad a report as a council can get," he said.
Mr Frawley investigated after a complaint was made to him by the developer who lost out on the tender.Mr Frawley investigated after a complaint was made to him by the developer who lost out on the tender.
'Unfair advantage' Geraldine McGahey said the tendering process would restart
He said at the beginning of the process the newspaper advert to attract developers was too small and that the timeframe to apply too short.He said at the beginning of the process the newspaper advert to attract developers was too small and that the timeframe to apply too short.
He felt it gave unfair advantage to one developer who had already approached the former acting chief executive of the council about the land.He felt it gave unfair advantage to one developer who had already approached the former acting chief executive of the council about the land.
The ombudsman also thought that none of the three developers who responded to the advertisement should have been shortlisted, yet all were.The ombudsman also thought that none of the three developers who responded to the advertisement should have been shortlisted, yet all were.
One developer later withdrew his application because of a decision to allow those bidding to have direct contact with those choosing the successful company.One developer later withdrew his application because of a decision to allow those bidding to have direct contact with those choosing the successful company.
'Highly irregular''Highly irregular'
The ombudsman said this was at best "ill-advised and inappropriate" and at worst "highly irregular".The ombudsman said this was at best "ill-advised and inappropriate" and at worst "highly irregular".
The ombudsman said the councillors who later heard the presentations did not have the experience or training to make the decision.The ombudsman said the councillors who later heard the presentations did not have the experience or training to make the decision.
On that basis, he has advised the council to rescind the contract awarded.On that basis, he has advised the council to rescind the contract awarded.
And he said it should - with some urgency - review its procedures for the running of competitive processes.And he said it should - with some urgency - review its procedures for the running of competitive processes.
The ombudsman has also recommended that the council should apologise to the unsuccessful developer and refund the legal costs he has incurred in making the complaint.The ombudsman has also recommended that the council should apologise to the unsuccessful developer and refund the legal costs he has incurred in making the complaint.