San Gwann Council had shown a lack of professionalism and responsibility when it selected and bought a property for use as its offices without consulting building experts, a board of inquiry has concluded.

The board was appointed by the Local Government Department after the building, bought a few years ago, developed serious structural problems in August last year and the council had to be evacuated.

The board said that some of the members of the council were themselves not fully aware of the specifications the council had requested when it sought the property.

The council had not been presented with documents showing the pros and cons of the properties that had been offered.

In view of the fact that the councillors were not knowledgeable on real estate, the board said the council should have engaged experts to help it reach the right decision.

"All this shows that there was a lack of professionalism and the council did not act in a serious and responsible manner," the board said.

It noted that the property was bought in the year 2000. The council, it said, had acted in haste before an election and had ignored calls not to buy the property.

It noted that an architect had testified that he told the Mayor that the property was unsuitable because it was designed for use as a residence, not for offices. The Mayor did not say this to the council.

Furthermore, the council secretary should have ensured that the selected property matched specifications laid down in the call.

The board said the council should not have selected the property, because it did not match specifications. The fact that another property also did not match specifications meant that a fresh call should have been issued.

The board said the building should now be thoroughly inspected and the council should then decide whether to sell it or repair it.

It also recommended that all councils buying property should set up a sub committee including experts such as architects, accountants and a lawyer.