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Police's £24k shower criticised Police's £24k shower criticised
(about 14 hours later)
The cost of refurbishing a police chief's office shower spiralled to more than £24,000 because of bad project management, an inquiry has ruled.The cost of refurbishing a police chief's office shower spiralled to more than £24,000 because of bad project management, an inquiry has ruled.
North Yorkshire Chief Constable Della Cannings ordered the work and was told it would cost £6,500.North Yorkshire Chief Constable Della Cannings ordered the work and was told it would cost £6,500.
She called for an inquiry after the builders told the force the cost would be nearer to £28,000. Ms Cannings called for an inquiry after the builders told the force the cost would be nearer to £28,000.
The police authority said there was no evidence Ms Cannings was aware of the potential final cost of the project. The police authority said there was no evidence she was aware of the potential final cost of the project at the start.
The authority's monitoring officer Jeremy Holderness said the cost to the police was likely to be about £24,379.The authority's monitoring officer Jeremy Holderness said the cost to the police was likely to be about £24,379.
Contractor clearedContractor cleared
He said: "Firstly, staff with day-to-day responsibility for such matters within North Yorkshire Police failed to identify and specify the detail of the works necessary for the project and as a consequence did not ask for a quotation, based on a detailed specification, before the works commenced.He said: "Firstly, staff with day-to-day responsibility for such matters within North Yorkshire Police failed to identify and specify the detail of the works necessary for the project and as a consequence did not ask for a quotation, based on a detailed specification, before the works commenced.
"Secondly, as the project progressed, additional works, such as the installation of a completely new hot water system to supply the bathroom, were approved and again no requests were made of the contractor for quotations.""Secondly, as the project progressed, additional works, such as the installation of a completely new hot water system to supply the bathroom, were approved and again no requests were made of the contractor for quotations."
Mr Holderness said the final cost of the project "accurately reflects" the works the contractors were asked to carry out.Mr Holderness said the final cost of the project "accurately reflects" the works the contractors were asked to carry out.
"In addition, there is no question of the contractor charging higher rates than they were entitled to. Those rates have been subjected to market testing through competitive tender," he said."In addition, there is no question of the contractor charging higher rates than they were entitled to. Those rates have been subjected to market testing through competitive tender," he said.
'Nothing unlawful''Nothing unlawful'
"My conclusion is that certain staff within the estate department of North Yorkshire Police failed in their duty to ensure that the rules of the organisation were followed."My conclusion is that certain staff within the estate department of North Yorkshire Police failed in their duty to ensure that the rules of the organisation were followed.
"However, there is no evidence to suggest that chief officers within North Yorkshire Police were aware of the potential final cost of this project.""However, there is no evidence to suggest that chief officers within North Yorkshire Police were aware of the potential final cost of this project."
Ms Cannings said she was "reassured that nothing has taken place which is unlawful and that none of the police authority rules have been broken".Ms Cannings said she was "reassured that nothing has taken place which is unlawful and that none of the police authority rules have been broken".
She said: "I am disappointed however that the way in which this project was managed was far from satisfactory, rising costs were not controlled and senior management, including myself, were not informed."She said: "I am disappointed however that the way in which this project was managed was far from satisfactory, rising costs were not controlled and senior management, including myself, were not informed."
Ms Cannings said action had been taken to strengthen the systems of processes in the estates department, which has responsibly for ensuring the maintenance and improvements of buildings throughout the force.Ms Cannings said action had been taken to strengthen the systems of processes in the estates department, which has responsibly for ensuring the maintenance and improvements of buildings throughout the force.