Council plans to enter into a development project to build a new arts centre in the memory of former Tottenham MP, Bernie Grant have been branded “irresponsible” by Liberal Democrat councillors following their failed attempt to have the plans reconsidered.

The development is set to be built in Tottenham and is being hailed by the Council as a centrepiece to the regeneration programme to the east of the Borough. However Liberal Democrats are concerned that far from regenerating the borough, it could plunge the Council further into debt with overspend being as high as £3 million.

Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition, Cllr. Wayne Hoban who asked for the decision to be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel for further consideration, claims that much of the development plan is based on ‘assumed’ funding and tax breaks, although none had been confirmed at the time of the decision. A key ‘assumption’ is that VAT will be recoverable; if it is not, then the sum of £2.1 million will be added to the £12 million budget, which would make existing plans unviable.

Cllr. Hoban (Lib Dem) comments:

“I am very concerned that at a time when the Social Services budget is heading for a £4.2 million overspend, Haringey council is preparing to enter into a partnership agreement on terms which even the Director of Finance has confirmed is a high risk venture, and which could expose the council to a £3 million bill. We [Lib Dems] have no wish to see Haringey Council appear, yet again, in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.”