A COUNCIL'S inquiry into mistakes by officers on a cafe contract was blasted as "pathetic" and "an absolute disgrace" by Independent Harry Brooks.

His scathing criticism came as recreation chiefs received an in-house report which revealed errors were made on the council-owned Towneley Stables Restaurant and Cafe which could cost thousands of pounds in lost rent.

Inquiry head Susan Walsh, the council's director of support services, found two un-named officers at fault but decided not to take disciplinary action against them - a situation which Coun Brooks described as "an insult to council taxpayers".

He told the recreation committee that Mrs Walsh had served up irresponsible, weak-minded nonsense.

"She seems to think that because highly paid staff quite rightly have a busy time of it, that in some way excuses basic and highly expensive errors.

"The whole business is an appalling scandal and demonstrates this council is not fit to be in charge of a commercial activity of any kind." But Coun Brooks' outburst was described as "disgraceful" by Labour finance chairman Peter Kenyon.

He said the report was an honest one on which Mrs Walsh should be congratulated.

Coun Paul Smith agreed with Coun Kenyon - the easy way out, he said, would have been to place the blame on individuals by taking disciplinary action.

Mrs Walsh thanked Coun Kenyon for his support, adding she was not a weak officer and had in the past taken disciplinary action when merited.

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