"Throughout this audit, I have identified evidence that adherence to legislation and best practice in land and property matters was not part of the culture of the council. There was evidence that senior officers were advocating actions that were contrary to best practice."
This devastating assessment from the Local Government Auditor featured in a report published last week into land deals involving Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
Colette Kane was tasked with carrying out an extraordinary audit following a request by then Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín in late 2020.
She examined land transactions dating back to the formation of the 'super council' in 2015 and, while dealing with some complex matters, her findings make for shocking reading.
Several key themes emerged during her investigations, including a basic failure by the council to show it was obtaining the best price for ratepayers.
Alarmingly, the behaviour of some senior council officers was also found to have "fallen short of the standards expected in a public body".
The audit highlighted two cases in particular: access to land granted to a hotel developer in Portstewart for £1 in 2016, and the sale of land for £5,000 to facilitate a separate hotel development in Coleraine the same year.
So significant were the failings that Mrs Kane said "there is a case for finding the easement/disposal has not been granted lawfully".
Communities minister Deirdre Hargey urged councillors to take immediate action on the report's recommendations, threatening that her department would intervene if necessary.
This includes an independent review of the council's governance arrangements, training for councillors to help hold officers to account, and appropriate action against senior officers who were criticised.
TUV leader Jim Allister went further, saying some officers should be considering their positions and calling for police to investigate if there is evidence of misconduct in public office.
The council said it has already made changes to procedures but the report is not due to be discussed until a special meeting on July 26.
Confidence and trust in the council has been severely dented and it is vital that it now demonstrates a sense of urgency in addressing the serious issues raised.
Its first duty will always be to ratepayers and it is only by committing to a new spirit of transparency and accountability, in word and deed, that the damage can begin to be repaired.
