When will North West Relief Road's full business case be out?

It was understood that the multi-million pound project would be discussed at the meeting on February 27. However, the officer now overseeing the scheme told the council’s Audit Committee on Thursday (February 6) that he was unable to say when it would be published.

“There are a number of things linked to that – discharging planning conditions etc,” said Andy Wilde, assistant director for infrastructure.

“I’m working with the team at the moment to understand what that timeline looks like. So I will need to update on that because I don’t have a clear position at this moment in time.”

If the FBC does not go before members at full council, it means that they won’t have time to discuss it until after May’s local elections.

Roger Evans said the committee was previously told the FBC would available in September, then December, before February was mooted.

“We seem to be drifting while this council continues to spend money that it can ill-afford to lose,” said Councillor Evans.

“This is a multi-million pound project, it has been stressed that it’s at risk. The business case is still going to go to government, and they will come forward as to whether they’re going to fund it or not.

“But Shropshire Council is still spending millions on this case with no planning permission yet issued.”

Meanwhile, Katie Williams, from the council’s audit team, told the committee that a follow-up report will be ready for the next committee update in June or July. That, she said, includes recommendations made from a previous internal audit report, and the subsequent external one.

“At least half of this committee will not be present at the meeting, so it would have been good to have something before we ‘change councils’ because it will be a new council after May whatever happens,” said Councillor Evans.

Councillor Evans was also surprised that Mr Wilde was not pre-briefed about some of the NWRR project before taking it on.

It was previously under the stewardship of Mark Barrow, who was Shropshire Council’s executive director of place. However, Mr Barrow left the organisation on December 6, with voluntary redundancy being given as the reason for his departure.

“The internal audit did an examination on this 15 months ago, and in full council I stated it was the worst audit I had ever seen,” said Councillor Evans.

“I am surprised that Andy was not pre-briefed by Mr Barrow or anybody in that team prior to Christmas.”

Mr Wilde said a newly formed executive board recently met, with the governance arrangements that were in place “being revisited.”"=

“The things that can be changed quickly have been, and the actual document – terms of reference, minutes, actions – is coming together,” said Mr Wilde.

“The appropriate officers were there and I was reassured minutes and actions were captured that you expect to be in place.

“Having worked for this organisation for 15 years and worked with audit throughout my time, latterly as a more senior manager, not working closely with audit is a mistake.

“It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to comment on what’s go on previously. My commitment is for the organisation going forward and making sure that the whole council feels like it’s got the transparency it’s seeking and the audit’s recommendations are factored in very quickly.”