QUESTIONS have been asked about the quality of leadership at Nottingham City Council in reports going back four years.

Both politicians and officers have come in for criticism.

In 2006, consultants Hardmoor Associates found a lack of vision, no strategic direction, an overload of initiatives, poor project management, and little programme management.

The Audit Commission highlighted similar problems in 2007 and 2008, including interference from councillors in day-to-day work, issues of trust between some councillors and officers, a lack of vision and culture of "blame avoidance".

As recently as May this year, the city council's own internal audit team identified risks to the authority's performance as a result of a "short term focus" and differences between politicians' priorities and those set out in the Council Plan.

The city council has spent large amounts of money on consultants in an attempt to address weaknesses and gaps and continues to do so.

The latest expenditure, approved by portfolio holder Councillor Hassan Ahmed, includes £194,000 for a leadership programme aimed at ten executive councillors and 90 top officers.

There is also a package costing £216,000 to improve the skills of middle managers.

The total amount spent on improving the leadership and culture of Nottingham City Council is more than £1 million since 2006.

Conservative deputy leader Councillor Georgina Culley said: "We don't seem to be sorting the situation out or solving it. I think taxpayers will be concerned."

The Conservatives have challenged the decision to pay for consultants to train leading councillors and staff.

The Liberal Democrats are also objecting to the consultancy at a time when the council is expecting significant cuts in funding.

Councillor Tony Sutton said: "Report after report has highlighted problems in the way the council is run. They include the leadership, communication and business skills."

However, the city council points out the most recent Audit Commission report recognised progress on leadership issues and gave the authority a higher rating than before.

Ravi Subramanian, of union Unison, said: "We question whether this is a good use of tax payers' money. It could be better spent protecting frontline services."

A council report written to explain the expenditure stated: "During this difficult economic period it is critical that we have the capability to lead the transformation required within the organisation and across the city."

Nottingham City Council chief executive Jane Todd said: "It's appropriate for our key decision makers, who we rely on and will be expecting more from, to be properly trained.

"These programmes for senior and middle managers and executive councillors work out at £500 per person. That's a value-for-money investment.

"These training programmes are part of the Leading Nottingham programme which is devised to help us deliver our strategic priorities. They have been revised to ensure that participants can take the difficult decisions we are now facing. In revising them, and through effective negotiation, we are delivering these programmes at 30 per cent less than originally estimated."