WEYMOUTH and Portland's handling of Pavilion redevelopment plans has been strongly backed by the Government.

The Audit Commission said it recognised measures taken by the council to protect public finances and a June 26 council audit committee will be given their report which outlines the "many strengths" in the authority's management of the project.

The Commission did make a number of suggestions for minor improvements to project management for the committee to consider including proposals to appoint a project manager and a steer group of councillors and senior officers.

But the overwhelming message from the Commission was a clean bill of health for the council which it said was "clear about what it wants to achieve from the development and uses this as a foundation to inform its negotiations with the development partner".

The Commission also said that the council was "putting a strong emphasis on maximising the potential economic, social, and environmental benefits for the local community from the development project" and that the council's project team was "knowledgeable and experienced in working with developers on delivering major development projects".

It added that the council's track record for delivering successful development projects was strong while staff were enthusiastic and committed to achieving the council's aims for the development.

The Commission said: "The council makes appropriate use of advice from external consultants and legal advisors to fill the gaps in its own capacity, knowledge and experience, to challenge its assumptions and minimise risk.

"It has distinguished the roles it has which represent the various interests that it has in the project as land owner, development partner, public service provider and as the regulatory body responsible for assessing any future planning application."

The Commission added that the risk of later delays and unforeseen costs were reduced by early site investigations such as survey of ground and marine conditions while statutory consultees had been engaged in discussions on the initial proposals.

Communications and progress updates on the project were improving, they said, and senior management, staff, councillors and local people were kept up to date on progress using briefing sessions, reports to meetings, website, intranet and press releases.