Walkout was "act of caution"

Someone who probably knows more than many about the Princess Royal Sports arena is Councillor Brian Rush - now a member of the Better Boston Group - but who for several months was the BBI's portfolio holder for Sports, Parks and Amenities, until he was sacked more than two years ago for criticising the leader and his deputy.
Councillor Rush has this to say about the events of the past week:-
"The controversial 'walking out' of opposition councillors regarding the £1.9m write off of a council loan, of which I, and other Better Better Boston Group members supported, was, as with other groups, an act of caution, should any future investigation take place as to the legalities of the proposed action being recommended.
"The observation by Chief Executive, Richard Harbord, in his attempt to indicate frustration that some 27 meetings had been held, which specifically examined the background and validity of funding, was in itself flawed.
"He appears to misunderstand the reasons for such constant challenge, in that, whilst these meetings have indeed been convened the fact is that explanations, advice, figures, and suggestions made by officers were either incomplete, inaccurate, or simply unsatisfactory.
"From 2007 there has been deep mistrust and suspicion surrounding statements made, figures presented, and lack of proper accountability, from those charged with overseeing the management and day to day running of the arena, and a lack of strength within the council in their demands for required information.
"There have been endless 'last and final support payments' made; the council have fulfilled, and gone beyond, their obligations to the arena which were to finish in September 2008.
"Councillor Dungworth has frankly let everyone down, his lethargic reliance on information provided by 'officers' was confirmed by his own admission when responding to my questions in council.
"I asked if he could assure me that, because of past failings, he had not simply relied on information provided by the Deputy Chief Executive Phil Drury, and if he had tested the accuracy of this information by presenting them to other agencies that were available to him?
"He stated that he had complete trust in the officers information advice and guidance, and saw no need to take any further action.
"Yet he continually condemns 'the old guard' for not having taken proper care, choosing to ignore the fact that those councillors also had acted 'trustingly on officers information advice and guidance' now considered flawed.
"I find this confidence strange, in light of the fact that the guidance he accepts with such trust is being provided by the same officer who advised and guided that 'old guard!'
"It is such scenarios that have haunted this council for over 10 years. I think accusations of incompetence during planning and construction must be considered unfair.
"I rather believe that promotion and responsibility beyond capability were the rocks upon which we now suffer. Personal ambition to progress is an acceptable desire, but admission of failure is also an admirable virtue.
"Finally, forgive me for harking back to Councillor Dungworth's Election Manifesto, which stated that 'An immediate and full investigation will take place, on the financial affairs of the PRSA.'
"We will never know, but one wonders, had this promise been kept, the chances are we may have long since relieved ourselves of the burden, and been richer for it."

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