Probe to look into T-Festival accounting (From Thurrock Gazette)

Probe to look into T-Festival accounting

8:00am Thursday 9th February 2012 in News

A REVIEW into the Thurrock Festival accounts has been launched after a councillor branded them incomplete.

Tory Cllr Mike Revell probed council leader Cllr John Kent about the level of detail provided in a copy of the accounts circulated to councillors before a council meeting.

He also questioned the Labour leader about where the funding for the two-day event comes from.

During the meeting, Cllr Revell said: “Clearly something is very wrong. We are dealing with taxpayers’ money.

“I understand the Audit Commission has not been able to sign off the borough accounts. If these are an example of the accounts, I understand why.”

Last year’s festival saw X Factor’s Jamie “Afro” Archer headline the two-day event at Grays Beach Park along with some of the cast of The Only Way Is Essex.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Revell, who represents Orsett, said: “Thurrock taxpayers have unknowingly given money to fund the T-Fest.

“I feel very uneasy about it because the accounts seem to be hiding more than they tell you.

“We are dealing with taxpayers’ money and they deserve to be kept in the loop. At the moment they are being dealt with utter contempt.”

Following the meeting, Cllr Kent wrote to Cllr Revell and said: “While there is a breakdown of income, there is no detail of expenditure.

“I have met with Steve Cox, as the responsible director and asked him to undertake a detailed review of the funding of T-Fest, including the accounting.

“This should be completed as quickly as possible with the outcome being made public.”