Isle of Anglesey County Council will not pursue legal action to recover money spent on a new roof for Canolfan Addysg y Bont, after receiving expert evidence.

A report presented to Full Council earlier this month outlined potential legal avenues as the council sought to recover the cost of replacing the failed sedum roof at the special school in Llangefni.

Work to replace the roof had been completed in January 2023 at a cost of £2.6m, which had been released from the council’s reserves.

Specialist external solicitors were appointed to advise the council on the prospects of recovering this expenditure, and independent expert evidence was commissioned.

Final expert evidence did not adequately support the council’s case, and it was advised not to issue court proceedings as an unsuccessful challenge would risk significant legal fees.

The new Canolfan Addysg y Bont school was completed in February 2014. In 2021, problems with the roof’s structure were detected and it began to sag. Further inspections concluded that the roof needed replacing.

Anglesey council Chief Executive, Dylan J. Williams, said, “In light of current evidence, expert opinion and legal advice, the Full Council agreed with the recommendation that any claim to recover the expenditure in replacing the school’s roof should not be pursued.”

“Current evidence suggests that the prospect of success was below 50%, and pursuing the claim further could involve substantial additional costs.”

Ends 23 December 2024