This means that it may be difficult for Property Conservation to demonstrate that it acted reasonably in selecting the contractor and that the contractor's costs were reasonably incurred.

BBC: Edinburgh statutory repairs reports

We recommend that Property Conservation management undertakes a thorough review of the risks - both operational and reputational - that attach to the section's operations and ensures that adequate controls are put in place to manage those risks.

BBC: Edinburgh statutory repairs reports

In the sample of of files reviewed, we noted that the main criterion for selecting a particular contractor appeared, in many cases, to be the purported availability of the contractor to commence the works within a reasonable timescale (which Property Conservation officers advised us in interview was considered to be approximately six weeks from instructions).

BBC: Edinburgh statutory repairs reports