A COUNCIL chief executive has pledged to make any necessary improvements to auditing procedures, after an employee was jailed for equipment theft worth almost £80,000.

Phillip Gaskin was last week jailed for 18 months, after he admitted stealing plumbing equipment belonging to his then-employer, Darlington Borough Council.

Gaskin told police he was able to get away with the thefts, which took place between 2007 and 2009, for so long, because there was no auditing system in place.

Earlier this week, the council defended its auditing process, but said Gaskin used his 'insider knowledge' to get around the system.

The issue was raised at a meeting of the full council last night.

Former mayor Charles Johnson asked whether there had been an internal investigation into the matter.

Chief executive Ada Burns replied: "I want to assure members that I take the issue of fraud extremely seriously and I am very satisfied that we have a very strong and effective audit team within the council.

"I think that is acknowledged by our external auditors as well, in terms of the issues that ever come to their attention.

"I do not think there is any industry where it is possible to eliminate the risk of theft or fraud, but I can assure members that, as with this incident, that we will review our practices and make sure that if there are any improvements we can make, they will be made."