Cemetery Investigation & Response to the External Auditor

A complaint was submitted to the Council by a former councillor and Town Mayor, via our external auditor PKF Littlejohn expressing concerns about the use of public funds for the creation of a Charitable Trust to oversee the cemetery following the settlement of the proceedings filed at Court in March 2024.

The Council instructed the current Clerk, Safia Kauser, to carry out a comprehensive investigation to facilitate the council’s response to the external auditor, which has now been finalised. The findings and recommendations will be considered at an Extraordinary Council meeting called for Monday 07th April 2025, at 7:00 PM, Victoria Hall.

An 88-page investigation report, along with an evidence pack exceeding 600 pages, will be made available on the councils website for members and the public to view prior to the meeting.

The Mayor, Cllr Simon Whittaker Said:
‘A comprehensive investigation report compiled by our current Clerk Safia Kauser has revealed some significant findings that members of the Council were never made aware of. The public have a right to receive an explanation as to what has happened and this report explains that’.

‘Following the appointment of Safia Kauser and a change of Solicitor, the council has submitted court documents today to set aside the Tomlin settlement agreement related to the creation of a Charitable Trust and to pursue the defendants in court, as per initial court proceedings and have previously referred the matter to Cheshire Police’.

‘It is with great regret that the Council did not act upon the initial advice provided by barrister Robin Green in October 2021 which has cost time and money. Presently, the council are trying to recover council assets worth over £500,000 that have been misappropriated and are in the control of the defendants’.

‘Moving forward, we are hoping for a speedy resolution from the courts’.

Dated: 02nd April 2025

2025.04.02 - Press Release 02 April 2025 - Cemetery