A COMPLAINT over a town council’s finances which has been withdrawn has left a council more than £2,000 out of pocket.

Resident Dave Rutson, of Highfield Avenue, Dovercourt, asked for auditors to investigate Harwich Town Council’s accounts after hearing it was sitting on £177,000 of unspent cash.

He complained to the Audit Commission about the cash, which has accumulated over a number of years, and also about the council spending about £17,000 to install a footpath behind the former Harwich Magistrates Court.

Harwich Town Council now faces a bill for £2,520 as a result of the objection.

The official opinion from the external auditor said: “In our opinion the information in the annual return is in accordance with proper practices and no matters have come to our attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements have not been met."