DUDLEY Council says confusion over whether a consultant was actually a bar manager is due to differing definitions.

The authority’s Audit and Standards Committee examining the collapse of Dudley’s Brookes Bar project was told by senior officers a consultant was brought in to try and save the venue, which was haemorrhaging cash.

A row blew up after the council’s cabinet member for finance, Cllr Steve Clark, dismissed claims the authority hired a consultant costing £64,000 and told a full council meeting the money was wages paid to a bar manager over two years.

In a bid to clear up the conflicting versions, Balvinder Heran, Dudley’s interim chief executive, said: “The officers used the term consultant to refer to the fact that the individual was employed on an interim basis. 

“Cllr Clark took the view that “consultant” specifically refers to someone appointed on a consultancy service contract and sought to emphasise the individual, following reductions and changes to the management structure, also took a lead on the day-to-day management of the bistro from April 2024 up to its closure. 

“This included stock takes, training the team, developing the menu, and stepping in to cover for staff absences.”

The consultant/bar manager was recruited in December 2023 and remained on the council’s payroll until September 2024 after Brookes Bar closed the previous month.

The authority pointed out the individual was paid across two financial years – despite only being hired for ten months.

During that period the consultant/bar manager was paid £41,800 for work at the council-run Brookes Bar and £22,200 for working at other venues and on other projects including town hall bars, Himley Hall and self-service vending.

Independent Cllr Shaun Keasey, who clashed with Cllr Clark in the full council meeting over the issue, slammed the explanation as ‘word salad’.

He said: “It was very clear at audit and standards, and the overview and scrutiny working group on Brookes Bar, that a consultant had been brought in to advise.

“I am not aware of any consultants whose role morphs into working behind the bar.”