Tories launch challenge to Wolverhampton Westside scheme
Tories in Wolverhampton have lodged an official challenge to the city council's Westside scheme, citing concerns over financial risks to taxpayers.
The authority's opposition Conservative group say they have serious doubts over the Labour-run council's ability to deliver the development, which has been funded by a £50 million pension.
It was signed off by council bosses last week, but has now been "called in" by Tory councillors, meaning the council’s Stronger City Economy Scrutiny Panel will meet in the coming days to grill the Cabinet member and the senior director overseeing the project.
Move coverage:
Wolverhampton Westside: How it will make our city the place to be
Wolverhampton Council: There's no risk with Westside development
Wolverhampton Council leader Roger Lawrence has hit back, accusing the Tory group of attempting to "sabotage" the scheme.
The delayed Westside scheme is set to feature a cinema, a trampolining centre, 10-pin bowling, restaurants, adventure golf and a giant car park.
But concerns have been raised over its funding, after developers Urban & Civic revealed a pension fund would be used to bankroll it after struggling to land private investors.
Tories in the city also want to see free parking included in a bid to attract visitors to the development.
Conservative group leader, Councillor Wendy Thompson, said: "We have been calling for the Westside development for years, but Labour have continually failed to draw in private investment.
"Now in desperation, they have rushed through this decision that will see Wolverhampton taxpayers take on the risk of paying for the project over decades – even if there are empty units.
“Astonishingly, the council hasn’t even considered offering free parking as part of the scheme.
"We want to know why, when other local authorities are trying to support their town centres and small businesses, this council is dead set against the idea.
“We want Westside to be a success but frankly, given this Labour council’s previous track record of project delivery, we have very little faith in them to successfully manage such a major leisure complex.
"Therefore we are demanding urgent further scrutiny of this massive financial undertaking.”
Wolverhampton Council has come under close scrutiny in recent years after a number of major projects smashed through their budgets by tens of millions of pounds.
It comes at a time when the authority is facing further cuts of £50m and has bumped up council tax by 4.99 per cent.
Council bosses insist there is no financial risk with the Westside development providing it is "substantially let".
Work is set to start on the scheme later this year, with a view to opening in 2021.
