A FORMER councillor has launched a scathing attack on council chiefs blaming them for the Condor Ferries’ debacle.

Roger Allen, who led Weymouth and Portland’s harbour management board for its first two years, claims he was ignored over his pleas to invest in the port.

He has lifted the lid on the workings of the council which he claims is now ‘reaping what it sowed’.

Weymouth has lost cross-Channel services for more than a year because major structural work needs to be done on the ferry berth.

Cracks started appearing in the walls last month – and are now visible around the port, according to an insider.

The harbour worker said new cracks were appearing every day and the damage was even affecting the ticket office.

He said: “The whole area is sinking by the day and it’s been fenced off for fear of total collapse.”

It’s feared Condor Ferries, the port’s biggest customer which pumps millions into the local economy, may not return despite extensive works proposed by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

Mr Allen, who served on the council between 2008-11, says the ‘Yes Minister’ style of government – after the TV political satire – which he claims pervades at the municipal offices means business is effectively controlled by unelected officers.

As chairman of the harbour board and later as briefholder responsible for tourism and community facilities, he says he had little influence.

He said: “I thought as a councillor with my experience in life and business I could be influential in the business of the council but it was ridiculous – there was no opportunity to do anything.

“I was ignored and my suggestions were rejected.”

On the harbour board, Mr Allen said: “There was a framework in place which meant all net income the harbour generates was transferred to the central fund and in years one and two that was £968,000 per year.

“I said time and time again that failure to reinvest a big proportion of harbour income back into maintaining the harbour would lead to a great asset becoming a liability. I was told to shut up and get on with it.

“The council is now reaping what it sowed.”

As briefholder he says his suggestions for improving the Pavilion and promoting the town were ignored. He says there was often ‘no point’ going to meeting as councillors were ‘lectured’ by officers.

He said: “Councillors have no executive powers, it’s all controlled by unelected officers. It’s Yes Minister.

“Councillors have no ability to monitor effectively the decisions which have huge implications for the town.

“Irrespective of politics, councillors should stand up and do what’s best for the town and not allow council officers to ride roughshod over them.”

He added: “The council does some things very well but when it comes to running businesses like the Pavilion and the harbour, it hasn’t got a clue.”

Mr Allen, 64, is moving to Poole to be nearer his business, a successful digital marketing agency.

Limited funding 'used for other priorities'

IN RESPONSE to Roger Allen’s comments, the chairman of the council’s management committee Mike Goodman, pictured, said: “The news concerning the state of our harbour walls adjacent to the ferry terminal is very distressing and highlights the constant need to review all our operations regularly to ensure that they are sustainable.

“We have been aware that this particular area has been in need of comprehensive restoration in the future, and it was intended that the redevelopment of the whole of that peninsula would address this.

“It is the responsibility of the whole council that since the redevelopment was cancelled that we have agreed to use our limited funding for other priorities, and all councillors have been involved in making those decisions.

“We are now looking at bringing forward our long term aim to redevelop the ferry berth.”

A council spokesman added: “It is an officer’s role to recommend and implement decisions, but councillors essentially approve and reject recommendations, have control of budgets and make the decisions.”