THE results of the first independent investigation into the mismanagement of millions of pounds intended to help the poor will be published next week.

The review, which was described by the council chief executive Andrew Kilburn as essential to preserve the integrity of the authority, will be presented to cabinet on December 3.

The findings will be published on the council’s website on Wednesday, it is understood.

Rules to prevent the fraudulent use of money given to the council to help Waltham Forest’s poorest neighbourhoods were regularly ignored over a number of years.

Previous council investigations found no evidence of criminality, but concluded there had been systemic failure to ensure the money was spent properly.

In a damining indictment of previous probes by council auditors, Peter Rogers, chief executive of the London Development Agency, was in March brought in to head an independent probe and promised to “leave no stone unturned”.

Earlier reviews centred on the use of money from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, which was later distributed through the Better Neighbourhood Initiative.

But as evidence mounted of widespread failings in the allocation, administration and monitoring of contracts within the council, the scope of the investigation was broadened.