IT is well documented that Blackburn with Darwen Council needs to save millions of pounds.

Well here is a very easy way they could save money: they could stop paying well over-inflated prices for the contractors they use – ie glaziers, electricians and plumbers.

I speak as a builder recently retired.

It is common practice for a contractor to charge well over the going rate due to the invoice not being paid out for up to three months.

From my 40 years in the industry (and having done for councils myself), I found the allocating of work a strange process.

Want to save money? Review the payment process, approved contractors’ list and prices of contractors.

Details supplied via email.