A REPORT has highlighted a ‘lack of transparency’ among a number of failings in a council’s handling of the controversial Charles Street development.

West Dorset District Council says it has learnt its lessons after a report by the South West Audit Partnership (SWAP) raised a number of areas of concern regarding the local authority’s involvement in the failed scheme put forward by Simons.

Simons was identified as the council’s preferred developer in 2006 but, although the council’s new offices were built the second phase of the scheme featuring shops and apartments never materialised as it was deemed not to be financially viable.

SWAP carried out a review, interviewing those involved with the project, in an attempt to identify lessons for the council to learn as it seeks to pursue plans to develop the site.

Areas highlighted in the report included a lack of clarity in the decision-making process, a lack of transparency and communication with stakeholders.

The report states: “A strong theme that emerged from our discussions was the lack of clarity regarding decision-making in the previous project, along with the reporting of decision-making (as well as the overall project) to members.

“Although it was recognised that the executive took key decisions on the project when required, it was felt that there was no other reporting to members, or oversight in place.

“Reference was made to the fact that decisions appeared to ‘arrive’ rather than through discussion and consultation.”

But the report praised the ‘positive steps’ taken by the council to address some of the issues, with a cross-party member working group set up to take the project forward.

SWAP issued a number of recommendations, including a clear policy on communications and the need for a ‘robust’ business case, and highlighted the desire of all involved to move forward and achieve an alternative development on the site.

In February 2013 the council allocated £1.4million of public funds towards enabling works for the Charles Street site.

A total of £379,000 remains in the fund and, following the collapse of the Simons scheme, the council's executive committee will be asked to allocate £25,000 of those funds to appoint a consultant to look at future options for the site and a further £25,000 to be spent in consultation with the Charles Street working group.

The Dorset Echo has requested a break-down of how the £1,021,000 was spent from Simons and the district council.

Cllr Robert Gould was leader of the district council until December 2014. He said the recession had had a major impact on the scheme and we are in a 'different world financially' than when the scheme started in 2006.

"I think with any project of this size and complexity there are always lessons to learn."

He added: "There has never been any suggestion it has been badly or inappropriately handled. It has been ongoing though the longest recession the country has had in modern times.

"What we now have is an opportunity to look forward and that's what we need to be focussing on."

The report will be presented to the executive committee on April 12.