Financial 'Black Hole' In Kenilworth Civic Centre Project

5.47.05pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 29th Sep 2009

Smalley Place, Kenilworth

Figures presented at a joint meeting of Kenilworth county, district and town councillors last week showed a massive gap in the funding available to develop the projected Public Service Centre at Smalley Place Kenilworth.

The scheme, which has been talked about for years, would link the current library and police buildings as part of a new civic centre complex including a theatre. Recently Talisman Theatre members voted overwhelmingly to move from their current premises to the promised new facility.

However, to deliver the current scheme would require public borrowing of up to £ 4 million, with no clear agreement between the potential partners as to how such borrowing would be financed or justified.

Councillor Pat Ryan the Liberal Democrat leader on Kenilworth Town Council attended the joint meeting, and said afterwards:

"We've been saying for many months that there was a financial black hole in this project, and the figures we saw last week only confirmed this. It's time for the Conservatives running all three councils to face reality and come clean with local residents.

"Probably the refurbishment of the Police Station and move of the Town Council accommodation can go ahead, but this is hardly a new idea. I remember discussing it fifteen years ago!"

County councillor John Whitehouse (Liberal Democrat, Kenilworth Abbey) added:

"This meeting was long overdue. A lot of work may have gone on, but opposition elected members at least have not been kept informed as the plans have progressed.

We don't even support the current plan for the site, in particular the idea of building a budget hotel on what is a very sensitive and prestigious location in the town centre.

We regret that Talisman Theatre members have already been given the clear impression that this project will definitely go ahead. There seems to be a big discrepancy between what they think they might get and what the district and county councils think they have offered them."