An internal investigation led to the sacking of eleven outside staff who had been brought in to oversee the multi-million pound budget with police still investigating for possible criminal offences. Claims have been made that contracts had been awarded without going through the proper procedures, often at over-inflated prices. Most of the work related to meeting legal safety requirements on the council’s own buildings, many of them coming under Dorset Council from previous authorities at the time of re-organisation. Responding to a question from Radipole councillor Matt Bell at the September Cabinet meeting the council leader Nick Ireland said steps were underway for the council to re-claim at least £1million. “All councillors will get a chance to air their concerns in a public meeting which is being arranged,” he said.