Caerphilly’s Labour Assembly Member Jeff Cuthbert has voiced concern at a recent report on Caerphilly Council’s handling of work at Welfare Park in Senghenydd.
The Wales Audit Office criticised the “significant problems in the quality of the contracted works undertaken” at the ground, which took more than five years to complete.
The report concluded that “council officers had not managed effectively”.
Contractors had used substandard soil as opposed to what was required by the council and work on the rugby pitch at Welfare Park took five years to complete.
Despite delays and the botched work by contractors, the report said the council had paid contractors 90% of what they were owed within the first nine months of the project.
Improvement works at Grove Park, in New Tredegar, were also criticised as unacceptable.
Jeff Cuthbert AM said: “I have been involved with the disputes over improvement works at Senghenydd Welfare Park for a number of years now, and I have worked closely with the Aber Valley Sports Association to ensure that the best possible outcome is achieved.
“The criticisms of the council must concern us all. I’m sure that there will be further meetings and discussions on this very important local matter.”
A spokesman for Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “This report refers to works that date back to 2003 and since that time the council has strengthened the way it manages these types of contracts so that our processes are much more robust.
“The recommendations contained in the report have been implemented and we feel that we have moved on significantly over the last few years.”