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Mismanagement of cultural funds revealed
The London Assembly has revealed the results of an independent review showing that the London Development Agency (LDA) has mismanaged six cultural projects worth more than £18m.
An independent report commissioned to Deloitte by the assembly’s economic development, culture, sport and tourism (EDCST) committee found flaws in the processes and procedures taken by the LDA in administrating the schemes.
Dee Doocey, chair of EDCST, said: “It is very clear that the LDA has mismanaged public funds.
“The LDA should admit their mistakes and take the necessary steps to put things right. This is an organisation responsible for allocating many millions of pounds of public money to cultural projects.”
The report is subsequent to the findings of a previous investigation by the committee suggesting an inadequate management of funds.
The LDA has refuted claims stemming from the report, maintaining that the assembly’s scrutiny is flawed because the projects investigated pre-date the 2005 procedural guidance against which they were assessed.
LDA’s chief executive, Manny Lewis, said: “The committee has consistently compared apples and pears by assessing old projects against new guidance. In addition, the report makes absolutely no implication of mismanagement of public funds, as suggested by the committee chair.
“These projects have made a significant positive impact on their communities and on London as a whole with thousands of people benefiting directly.”







































