A REPORT by audit and accountancy firm Mazars showed Southend Council owed Natis more than £500,000 but was only required to pay back £272,000 reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
The £546,651 debt was owed to Thurrock Council for work it had done under the Counter Fraud Investigation Department (CFID) partnership which was disbanded in 2019.
In January, a Freedom of Information request to Thurrock Council showed that they had received £272,462 from Southend Council as a full and final settlement.
Southend Council later denied the payment and it is not included in forecast budget deficit documents for 202425.
Southend Council explained the issue on Friday. A spokesperson said: “The sum of £272,462.40 was paid by Southend Council to Thurrock Council in January 2025 following receipt of an invoice from Thurrock but was funded by money set-aside in 2018/19 when their service was in place, but no payment was made.
“Therefore there is no impact on the 2024/25 overspend position, and the utilisation of this previously set-aside money will form part of 2024/25 year-end financial position that is presented to Cabinet and committees.”
