An audit body has said it will decide on an investigation into the controversial allocation of £200,000 of public money for wall repairs on land owned by the family of a former leading councillor, after a council investigation is concluded.
A major political row erupted last month after it emerged funds from cycling charity Sustrans had been allocated for works at Wellington Brae, owned by the father of former finance convener Willie Young, without ever being put to a council committee for approval.
Leaked e-mails showed council officers approached the former Labour councillor several times about the project, believing him to be the landowner.
But Mr Young has always denied any wrongdoing, and produced legal advice from the city council’s legal officer which suggested there had been no “conflict of interest”.
The council itself admitted a series of “failings” and launched its own investigation.
The SNP group called for a probe by national body Audit Scotland, but the body has said that it will only consider a probe after the council investigation is concluded.
Councillors on the infrastructure committee will meet next week to discuss the council’s findings.
An Audit Scotland spokeswoman said:. “Aberdeen City Council is conducting its own investigation into Wellington Brae. The external auditor will review the scope, approach and results of that investigation and any actions arising. Any significant matters will be reported in the auditor’s annual report in September.”
SNP group leader Stephen Flynn said: “I think this is a disappointing outcome, I can respect the decision that they’ve made but from our perspective we felt that the best way to give the public full reassurance on this matter was an outside investigation.”
A spokesman for the council said: “The investigation into the Wellington Brae cycleway project is being conducted by senior officers and the findings will be reported to the audit, risk and scrutiny committee in due course.”
Mr Young did not respond to requests for comment.