A LABOUR councillor says "clear answers" are needed on the bid to secure an additional £5.5million of taxpayer money to pay for Lichfield's new cinema.
It emerged this weekend that the funding was required to complete the redevelopment of the former Debenhams building and secure full ownership of the site going forward.
The work has been carried out as part of a joint venture with Evolve Estates to create the new four-screen Everyman cinema. It will also include a number of food and drink outlets, including The Botanist.
Councillors will now have to decide whether to open the coffers once more due to what Lichfield District Council described as "market conditions, design development and the complexity of transforming the former department store into a modern leisure destination".
Cllr Darren Ennis, deputy leader of the Labour opposition group, said:
"Councillors will have to decide how it’s funded – from existing budgets, more taxpayer money or by looking again at the future of the project.
"Our money should be spent wisely, openly and with proper control. Labour councillors will be pressing for clear answers on the cost increases, the delays, the contract and what it means for the rest of the council’s capital programme."
Much of the detail behind the costs – which will see £2.84million used to complete the redevelopment and £2.72million towards full ownership – have not been revealed due to commerically sensitive-data.
But the project has seen a change in contractors during the development.
During a visit to the site, Lichfield Live was told by construction bosses about some of the challenges facing the project, including needing to strip off by hand and replace previously applied fire-proofing on all steel beams.
Cllr Doug Pullen, Conservative leader of Lichfield District Council, said:
"The redevelopment of the former Debenhams building is one of the most significant regeneration projects our district has undertaken and it is now well advanced.
"As with projects of this scale and complexity, additional costs have arisen during construction. Councillors are therefore being asked to consider proposals that would enable the redevelopment to be completed and allow the council to secure full ownership of the completed asset.
"We have always said we would be open about this project. These proposals will now be considered by councillors before a final decision is made by full council."
