AN independent investigator labelled Scarborough's sea defences saga a "sorry tale of errors and complacency" in a report published yesterday.

Richard Penn said senior officers at Scarborough Borough Council had made mistakes and some failed to heed warnings by colleagues over the illegal awarding of a consultancy contract.

He highlighted actions of five officers, four of whom have now retired, or left the authority. The fifth has been disciplined.

The council had previously refused to release the report, but relented on Thursday after former chief executive John Trebble withdrew his opposition to the document being made public.

He retired last month to avoid a lengthy, expensive hearing after learning that he was one of the officers mentioned by Mr Penn.

The report is the result of an independent investigation carried out after the district auditor found that the council had illegally awarded a £1m contract to consultancy High Point Rendel in connection with a £53m sea defences scheme.

Mr Penn said the report pointed to "what is seen both inside and outside the council as a sorry tale of errors, complacency and lack of 'corporateness' on the part of key individuals.

"The result has been a period of embarrassment, and even public ridicule, for the council at large and for individual elected members.

"None of the key senior council officers involved at that time in this episode come out of it well, but it is difficult to allocate individual responsibility, given the problems I experienced in meeting with a number of the key players, including senior officers who have left the council's employment.

"The fact that there is no evidence of financial loss or fraudulent activity, while welcome, does not detract from the serious nature of the failure to ensure effective governance of the council's business."

He added that the council appears to have learned a great deal from the experience.

Last night council leader Eileen Bosomworth said: "I sincerely hope that this brings this sad affair to a conclusion and that we can now move on and return to the days of the council's good reputation."

She also made a statement correcting allegations that Mr Trebble had been allowed to help write his own reference as part of a retirement deal.

"While Mr Trebble may have asked for certain conditions, the appointments committee in their deliberations resisted and Mr Trebble did not have any involvement in writing his own reference," said Coun Bosomworth.