THE Lendal Bridge controversy has left council accounts in limbo for months, and question marks still hang over the books despite the new plan to refund all the fines.

Objections from voters mean council auditors Mazars have not been able to finish their work for at least three months.

The council's Audit and Governance Committee was first told of the problem in September. An objection raised concerns that the £1.8 million fines income should not legally be credited to council accounts, and three months later the matter is still not resolved despite the decision to refund all fines.

Though the auditors say £1.8 million is "below the level of materiality", and so has not stopped them giving unqualified assurances on the accounts overall, they cannot end their audit while the objection is in place.

And despite last week's formal decision to give back all the fines cash, there are indications the uncertainty is still in place.

Neil Ferris, Assistant Director of Transport, Planning and Highways, issued a brief staying only saying that the legal team are still looking into the situation.

He added: “Following the motion by full council a report is being produced for consideration by cabinet which will include advice from the council’s legal team. As is normal practice, the council takes on board all comments from external auditors.”


Bridge refunds extension

THE application deadline for Lendal Bridge refunds looks likely to be extended until next June.

Cabinet member for transport David Levene will on Monday be asked to approve moving the deadline from December 31 to June 30, while council staff prepare a report on how the authority can start refunding everyone who was fined for crossing the bridge during the trial closure.