Planning & Price Hikes Mar Council Project

Lack of Forward Planning & Curious Last-Minute Price Hikes Mar Council Project

While the addition of the defribullators to our parish, albeit 6 years later than others was a welcome thing, something just didn't seem right, questions remained over and above the time it took to deliver these life saving devices. 

During investigations, we have  discovered that the "circa" costs to taxpayers for three defibrillators, that were installed late last year in TF3, were estimated at £4500, and are actually at the upper end of the price spectrum in the UK. 

At the other end of the scale, the costs could have been around £3150—a significant £1350 cheaper. This discrepancy raises several questions: What negotiations took place to secure a bulk-buy discount? With a purchase of four units (including one donated by The Wrekin Housing Trust), what discounts could have been achieved for our tax money?

Moreover, these are not the only defibrillators installed in Telford; we are among the last to get them. Prior to our purchase of these four units, there have been six years of local government purchases of defibrillators in Telford. What discount could have been available given this history?

On December 5, 2023, we reported on the defibrillator project - LNTF3 DEFRIBULATORS

In a continuation of the investigation conducted by Truth Tracker Telford (TTT), startling revelations have come to light regarding the financial and project management of the life-saving defibrillator installations around the TF3 area.

The cost to taxpayers for these essential medical devices saw an unexpected jump of over 12% within four weeks of being made public, raising eyebrows and concerns over the use of taxpayers' money. In September 2023, Councillor Boylan informed the council that the cost for the defibrillators was estimated to be around £4500. Yet, publicly available documents reveal a significant cost hike when the expenditures were presented the following month.

Inquiries into the matter pointed to a VAT rate change as the culprit for the inflated expenses. Initially, the defibrillator units were zero-rated for VAT purposes, as part of the government's strategy to aid economic recovery post-Covid. However, in a twist of fiscal policy, the government terminated the zero-rated VAT scheme in September 2023, transitioning to a standard 12.5% VAT, as stated by the council. This change allegedly accounts for the unforeseen rise in costs.

There is, however, a critical inconsistency in this explanation. The 12.5% VAT hike was indeed announced in September 2023 but was not set to take effect until January 1, 2024. This raises questions about the timing of the cost increase and why the defibrillators incurred the additional VAT before the new rate was legally enforceable.

Further concerns have also been raised about the council's preparation for the defibrillator project. According to correspondence from the council dated March 15, 2024, in response to inquiries about the training budget for defibrillator users, it was revealed that no funds were allocated for this purpose. Back in December, a member of the public generously offered to provide the training free of charge, leaving the status of any potential budgeted funds for training in limbo. The council stated that any costs associated with the certification of training would be decided by the Full Council upon the Clerk's recommendation.

This lack of financial planning for training in the project is baffling. Leaving it to the full council to decide on a budget for certification months after the defibrillators had been installed raises even more concerns and questions over project management. What happened to the money? Why were no funds allocated for the training of defibrillator users, despite the importance of proper training in the effective use of this life-saving equipment? What does this say about the council's financial planning for other community projects?

In an effort to uncover the truth, leaving no stone unturned, TTT delved deep into the public records for the 12 months before September 2023. Rather oddly, no mention of anything related to the defibrillator project can be found in the public record.

Given the extensive and varied experience in business, employment, and public service of the serving councillors, including the highly experienced project lead, it seems inexcusable and perplexing that, following a six-year wait for our defibrillators, such gaps in planning, foresight, and public record have occurred.