2006

Hardmoor Associates, cost of £30,000.

Consultants commissioned by the city council who concluded the council was "dysfunctional".

It criticised a lack of vision, no strategic direction, too many initiatives and poor project management, so staff had operated without clear priorities.

2006

Michael Frater, former chief executive of the council.

In a memo to Councillor Jon Collins, the leader of the council, Mr Frater demanded councillors stop interfering with the day-to-day running of the council and play "a much more influential role" in promoting Nottingham.

2007

Audit Commission.

The watchdog criticised the council for "a lack of long-term strategic thinking" and "a culture of blame avoidance and denial".

2008

Vital Stages, cost of £387,000

The council commissioned a theatre company, which undertook interviews of staff and produced a play, Foundation Stone. It depicted a councillor bullying staff, dysfunctional management, hard-working staff, as well as those who were work shy.

The aim was to show staff and councillors what problems the council faced.

2008

Mediation

Mediators were brought in to patch up relations between officers and councillors, including leader Councillor Jon Collins and then chief executive, Michael Frater.

2008-2009

Invigor8, cost of £211,576.73

Consultants hired to identify problems and solutions in management of the authority. Initial findings highlighted some of the problems discussed in the Hardmoor document.

March 2009

The Audit Commission said the council is making "limited progress" on staff concerns about "issues such as staff engagement and improving leadership and managers' skills".

May 2010

Risk register, Nottingham City Council

An internal audit identified a significant risk to the council resulting from how it is run, which could result in poor decision-making.

The auditors also believe there is significant risk the council's long-term plan will not be delivered because of short-term decision making and political priorities not being aligned with those in the plan.

August 2010

Leadership Programme, cost of £410,000