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Andy White |
Probe to clear school over equipment deal
Inquiry into contract for firm where head’s son works
TOWN Hall investigators say they are confident that a complaint of financial mismanagement at a Highbury secondary school will be rejected.
They were called in after it emerged that Highbury Grove School headteacher Truda White had awarded a £5,600 contract to the Peterborough company where her son Andy works.
A Town Hall spokeswoman said last night (Thursday): “Initial indications are that the allegation will not be upheld.”
Investigators were asked to look into the deal after Mr White was hired to provide audio equipment for the school gym. An invoice from Mr White, a project manager for Pearce Hire, quoted a figure of £5,616.83 for the “installation of audio equipment to sports hall and gym”.
Labour costs are quoted at £25 an hour – a total of £550 – with the engineers’ travel time billed at £75 and hotel accommodation for engineers costing £125. A deposit of £2,808.42 was paid before the installation.
Mr White said: “I’m not prepared to comment any further on this until I speak to my mum to find out why you are calling.”
He added that the school had been given an incredible deal.
“You can call anyone and ask for a similar spec,” he said. The package included powerful amplifiers, speakers, mixing desks, wall brackets and cables.
Town Hall finance chiefs have been investigating whether the school stuck to strict procurement rules. The complaint was made by someone associated with the school.
A school source said: “I’m sure there’s absolutely no question of any impropriety but it’s only right that we know the full facts behind what went on when the school spent so much money on all this equipment.”
Mrs White was on an Easter break yesterday (Thursday) and unavailable for comment.
A council spokeswoman said: “We received an allegation about Highbury Grove School, which we have investigated. The final report has yet to be completed, but initial indications are that the allegation will not be upheld. The school co-operated fully with this investigation, and they will be pleased to be able to put this allegation behind them.
“All Islington schools must make sure they get value for money when they buy equipment – and sometimes that means looking outside the borough. The money for the sound system is a relatively small amount, and was therefore not subject to a tender process.
“The sound system has been a useful purchase, and has helped to make events in the school hall, such as the 2006 Pure Voices concert, a real success.”
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