CONFUSION surrounds the existence of a health and safety report following a troubled spell at a popular Bromsgrove leisure centre more than a year ago.

The confusion came to light this week after the Labour group leader on Bromsgrove District Council, Cllr Peter McDonald (Uffdown and Waseley), urged the authority not to spend its own money on replacing the fire-damaged health suite at the Dolphin Centre before the results of a health and safety report are known.

The council agreed to pick up the £15,000 bill at a meeting last week, for the replacement of the suite after insurers only offered £35,000 towards an expected £50,000 cost, following a fire at the School Drive centre last year.

A report by the Health and Safety Executive was set to be published following the fire and two chlorine leaks at the facility, but this week an official denied an investigation ever took place.

A spokeswoman said: "The Health and Safety Executive didn't investigate the Dolphin Centre following the incidents last year as the district council was already taking action."

But Cllr Terri Matthews, (Con, Furlongs), the cabinet member responsible for leisure and health, believes an investigation did take place, but the results have not yet been published.

Meanwhile Cllr McDonald this week claimed the council had paid for an independent investigation.

He said: "I have had confirmation from the Health and Safety Executive in Sheffield that the council paid for an independent study and they have had the results for months.

"It is absolutely disgraceful that the council should hide such information from councillors and members of the public, it makes you wonder what they have got to hide about the results."

Cllr Matthews has vehemently denied the allegation. She said: "We did not pay for an independent study to be carried out as Cllr McDonald claims.

"However, as far as I am aware there was an investigation after the incidents at the centre and the results have yet to be published."