Several complaints were upheld following the independent investigation by legal firm VWV that concluded in February, with its findings published ahead of a meeting on Monday.<\/p>\n
The report described the legal basis against the complainants as “sound”, but concluded the authority’s action “was a result of the bunker mentality at the council at the time and the desire to ‘get the job done’.”<\/p>\n
It also labelled the authority’s approach as “heavy-handed”.<\/p>\n
It said the impact on the complainants “cannot be underestimated” and criticised the delay.<\/p>\n
“The handling of the complaints means there are four residents who have been let down,” the report added.<\/p>\n
“It will not be enough to simply apologise again.”<\/p>\n
The council admitted the process had “taken longer than necessary, and an external investigator should have been commissioned earlier”.<\/p>\n
As well as calling for “full and complete apologies”, the report’s other recommendations related to governance, how the council’s legal team works, and the authority’s culture.<\/p>\n
Officers have advised councillors to accept its findings in full and endorse an action plan when they meet on Monday.<\/p>\n
A previous independent review of the council’s behaviour during dispute, known as the the Lowcock Inquiry, said there had been a “failure of strategic leadership”<\/a>.<\/p>\n