A councillor says taxpayers should now exactly what the bill for a new leisure centre in Lichfield will be.
It comes after a Lichfield District Council task group was told the project to build the facility at Stychbrook Park was “currently over budget”.
A report to the local authority’s overview and scrutiny committee said an additional £300,000 was needed in order to fund improvements, including a larger car park and community space.
But Cllr Sue Woodward, leader of the Labour opposition group, told the meeting that the additional funding – which formed part of a confidential section of an earlier meeting – needed explaining to residents more clearly.
“There is reference in the minutes to a £300,000 impact on the medium term financial strategy, but there are other impacts as well.
“We haven’t got the full picture of what the decision that eventually went to council as a confidential item is.
“When will members have the opportunity to ask further questions about the overspend?There ought to be more public exposure of the decision.
“It is the intention of the council is to be as transparent as possible as we’re talking about public money.
“At some point there needs to be clarity about the total expenditure.”
Cllr Sue Woodward
A Lichfield District Council spokesperson said:
“We are currently in commercial discussions with the contractor to finalise all costs and once these details are confirmed, we will be able to provide a full update to residents to highlight the improvements that are being proposed.”
Lichfield District Council spokesperson
Surely the contractor should have submitted a tender and if accepted by the council that is the price
Also the total cinema project inc food stations subsidies. Add that lot up & then tell us you have the money to complete both projects before finally proceeding
“We are currently in commercial discussions with the contractor to finalise all costs and once these details are confirmed, we will be able to provide a full update to residents to highlight the improvements that are being proposed.”
We want the price tag, I’m sure we can make our own mind up they are improvements.
Show us the money.
It just seems that all this will be impacting badly on the residents who will have too live their daily lives around this amenity when finished. The extra traffic alone will cause problems. The councillors will not have this to worry about.
I wonder if there is going to be improvements to access of to eastern avenue from Curborough Road with the increased traffic from this leisure centre. It needs an island – it’s already difficult.
Still can’t believe the planing permission is granted by themselves. As if they would say no !
What you have to realise is that, over the last few years, Lichfield District Council has had a big increase in revenue from the Council Taxes paid by the residents of the thousands of new homes built in the area. At the same time they have not invested much money in local infrastructure and services. No new doctor’s surgeries, no increase in bus services, new primary schools paid for by the builders etc. This is a typical example of our money NOT going where WE need it.
@Jolly Roger, what I think you may need to realise is that Lichfield District Council is not responsible for Roads, Doctors or Schools. This would be the county council that you need to talk to. They have a significantly bigger take of the council council from all the new homes.