A POLICE probe has been launched after a report brought to light a financial scandal involving undeclared gifts and inflated costs for work on buildings managed by Dorset Council.

11 council staff who oversaw health and safety improvements to the council’s buildings were sacked after an investigation found that taxpayers were overcharged for work between December 2022 and October 2024.

The work was initially budgeted at £4 million but ballooned to nearly £13 two years later without subsequent cabinet approval, a funding strategy, or a documented business case.

Dorset Police said it is working with the council to “explore any investigative opportunities” after the scandal was brought to light.

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The report found repeated and unexplained budget increases, overreliance on a small pool of contractors, and inflated costs.

It said that a small number of firms were chosen to carry out work and that some prices were inflated.

In one instance, the council was charged £300 for services worth just £20.

The investigation found evidence of “illegal activity or fraud”.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: “We are in communication with Dorset Council to explore any investigative opportunities.”