Link for Life

http://northernvoicesmag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/rochdale-cabinet-claims-of-dodgy-credit.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+northernvoices+(Northern+Voices)

Admin wrote:
http://northernvoicesmag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/rochdale-cabinet-claims-of-dodgy-credit.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+northernvoices+(Northern+Voices)

[size=18]Taken from the above link 'The Rochdale Council leader, Colin Lambert, had pointed out that Link4Life is an independent body separate from the Council and with its own Board of Governors; though there are Councillors on the Board of Governors they don't represent the Council. '

If Link4Life are constituted as a Limited Company and a Charity and the company shares are held in Trust by an elected body/persons then the company directors may use funds available to them as directed by the board of directors which in this case seems to be the position. Personal use (usually up to a given amount monthly for expenses incurred on the company's business) are at the behest of the board of directors. One must assume such permissions were granted and minuted at some previous date and occasion - these can be found in the company minutes. If such was the case this is perfectly legal. Personal use for personal gain cannot be legal unless a special dispensation was granted through the board of directors stipulating the amounts granted and the frequency of such 'grants'. It is the business of the shareholders/trustees to vet such amounts which should have been written down in the minutes and circulated to all trustees following each and every board meeting. It would seem (from previous reports) that some discrepancy has arisen due to a lack of information from the board of directors to the trustees in relation to the use of the company's credit card system. All should become clear following a review of all the previous board meeting minutes wherein all the relevant information should be found - always assuming proper procedures were followed and things were done correctly.

I had always assumed that such council offshoots were run with similar terms and conditions and accountability (I know that it doesn't always seem so) as the council and other public sector staff. It would seem that that is not the case. How can such a management-heavy organization with apparently lax financial controls be more efficient than a directly-managed department? Surely we would get more services for our money if this was taken back in house.

It is good to see Mr. Danczuk keeping up his assumed public role of reading the press and bringing possible offenses to the attention of the police. It seems bizarre in this case, and others, that the police weren't automatically involved. Presumably Link4Life aren't big enough to have their own Counter-fraud department.

Yes Mojo, but did that include the use of a Charity spending card as their own personal use?

Also I thought a so called charity like Link4Life would have treasurers and members who kept an eye on the financial side.

Sounds like an employee has blown the whistle on them. I just hope the whisleblower has kept their job.

teamplayer2 wrote:Yes Mojo, but did that include the use of a Charity spending card as their own personal use?

Also I thought a so called charity like Link4Life would have treasurers and members who kept an eye on the financial side.

Sounds like an employee has blown the whistle on them. I just hope the whisleblower has kept their job.

No. teamplayer2. Reports clearly state that an independent audit-investigation was instigated in the first place because someone had whistleblown about the Link4Life top bosses' personal use of the organization's credit cards.


What has also not been revealed is how long ago the financial investigation took place and when were the Trust's Board informed of those findings. I wish RMBC would be transparent about such matters.

Mojo

I must admit I was in shock when the story first broke out in our local community newspaper. I had met the managers and I thought they seem honest enough, but I heard a few tales from someone about some spending that went one in one case. So you are correct on just how long has it being going on and when first reported.

A former employee did tell me something which I cannot reveal because I do not know if it was fact or not. I just hope they do a full investigation, but it would be interesting if the tale I was told was true and it came out during the investigation.

TP

This news story seems to have gone dead. I hope it is not another cover up in the long term?

Highly unlikely - as per my previous post. These are not public bodies (as per RMBC etc) but private (probably for non-profit) companies utilising public funding for public works and thus go under a completely different criteria of business. You can't get me I'm part of the quangos/union - hmmm.

Mojo

Us lesser mortals would have been suspended from work for serious misconduct during an investigation. It does seem Link4Life do not have the same rules?

teamplayer2 wrote:Mojo --------- Us lesser mortals would have been suspended from work for serious misconduct during an investigation. It does seem Link4Life do not have the same rules?

TP: It would appear so about the rules, but will the Link4Life Board issue an explanation?
I somehow doubt it.

As concise media statement, it now seems that Link4Life's managing director, Craig McAteer RETIRED from his post there last month, in March, and his deputy, Peter Kilkenny, quit in February,
and Link4Life 'wishes them well in the future' ....

Is an investigation still going on? Did they break the rules?

It is looking like the Lnk4Life are hoping this will go away. The council tax payer and the paying customers would like an explanation to all this.

As f reported in our local community newspaper we all need an explanation for their actions. Any other employee would been treated in the same way?

teamplayer2 wrote: Did they break the rules?

It is looking like the Lnk4Life are hoping this will go away. The council tax payer and the paying customers would like an explanation to all this.

As f reported in our local community newspaper we all need an explanation for their actions. Any other employee would been treated in the same way?

TP: As noted previously on this thread last month ' the investigating auditors were stated to have found that the charity chiefs had broken the company rules.'

The council and Link4Life appear to have been very quiet about the subject. I know only spartan news, like that of the MD's retirement from that employment last month. Perhaps you should lobby your Cllr or the local MP for further explanations as, like yourself, I doubt further details will be offered.

Yes Mojo I will email a councillor.