Councillor Joe Harris has come forward as the previously unnamed councillor mentioned in a recent counter fraud report concerning procurement practices at Cotswold District Council.
The report, which investigated allegations of irregularities in awarding contracts, found no fault with Harris. Nevertheless, he has chosen to disclose his identity publicly to ensure complete transparency and has referred himself to the council’s monitoring officer for a formal assessment.
The disclosure follows a challenge faced by the Conservative opposition, who expressed frustration at being unable to lodge a formal code of conduct complaint due to the unnamed status of the councillor in the report presented at the audit and governance committee on September 30.
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Harris, who represents St Michael’s ward and formerly served as the cabinet member for communications, stated: “I want to clarify that I am the councillor referenced in the report concerning procurement exercises carried out during my tenure. At that time, the council was reintegrating its communications function in-house as part of the Publica transition, aiming to bolster engagement with residents and establish a clear brand identity.”
He further explained that he only became aware of the issues highlighted in the report after the investigation concluded in April 2025 and was not interviewed during the inquiry. The report came to his attention just months after he announced his decision to step down as council leader, during his final month in office.
“I believe I have acted appropriately. Nonetheless, in the interest of full transparency, I am voluntarily submitting myself to the monitoring officer for review alongside an independent person to determine if any breach of the councillor’s code of conduct occurred. The outcome will be published once the process is complete,” Harris added.
The investigation originated in October 2024 following whistleblower concerns around procurement. It revealed that the council awarded over £80,000 in work to companies allegedly linked to officers and a councillor in undisclosed ways.
One focal point concerned the rebranding contract for the council, where among three proposals received, Harris recommended one company, but the contract was ultimately awarded to a different firm on recommendation from an unnamed council officer.
The report criticized the procurement process, noting that evaluations lacked proper criteria, were conducted by a single officer without independent review, and that the contract, while signed by the company, was not signed by the council itself. Key departments including legal services, finance, and corporate leadership were not consulted during procurement.
In response, the council leadership has reviewed the investigation’s findings, agreed upon an action plan, and strengthened internal controls surrounding procurement procedures to prevent future issues.