Investigation to probe fraud claims surrounding refurbishment of major arts venue

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

Croydon council has appointed a firm to investigate possible fraud around Fairfield Halls and council-owned developer Brick by Brick.

A damning report published by the council’s own auditors in February found there were “serious financial control and legal failings” in the refurbishment of the arts venue, and that more than £60million went out to Brick by Brick without “properly executed written contracts”.

The project to refurbish Fairfield Halls, which was completed in 2019, went nearly £40 million over the original £30 million budget.

At a council meeting on Wednesday of last week, the council’s cabinet member for Croydon Renewal, Councillor Stuart King, revealed the authority has appointed Kroll to carry out a fraud investigation.

It came in response to a question from opposition councillor Robert Ward, who said he was aware of fraud concerns with both Brick by Brick and the Fairfield Halls project. He asked when the public was likely to hear results of a fraud probe.

Cllr King said: “The council has retained Kroll to undertake that investigation. That work is ongoing and I’m sure the chief executive will brief councillors at an appropriate point when she can do so.”

Kroll’s website said the company has “unmatched capabilities in identifying and investigating issues relating to fraud, corruption, money laundering and embezzlement”.

At a meeting in February, council leader Hamida Ali said she had passed on the Report in the public interest, relating to Fairfield Halls, to the Met Police borough commander, chief superintendent David Stringer.

Pictured top: Fairfield Halls