Lyme Green fallout continues

The finance director of Cheshire East Council has left her post along with several other senior managers as a result of the Lyme Green procurement debacle.

Contractors for Cheshire East began construction of the waste facility near Macclesfield without planning permission. EU procurement rules were also broken during the contracting process.

The cancelled contracts and internal investigations have cost the council £800,000.

Cllr Michael Jones, leader of Cheshire East Council, said in a written statement: "Lisa Quinn, director of finance and business services, left the council's employment on Friday 15 February, by mutual agreement. This follows the departure of two senior managers during December."

Quinn was employed by the council for 20 years.

Jones told BBC Radio Stoke on Monday morning that Quinn "didn't know any of the numbers" relating to Lyme Green, which he said was unsatisfactory. He added that by the end of this week "five or six senior managers" will have left their posts due to the mistakes at Lyme Green.

Jones' written statement about Quinn's departure continued: "Arrangements are already in place to cover her role, while the council continues with the planned introduction of a new management framework, which will be less opaque, more accountable and effective and less costly.

"I would like to thank Lisa for her hard work and commitment to the job during her time at Cheshire East and I wish her well for the future."