‘Councillors still being kept entirely in the dark’
SOUTHRPORT councillor Tony Dawson also put questions to the recent full council meeting about the Luxembourg purchase of the Bootle New Strand shopping centre.
He claimed that since the council bought the shopping centre entirely using money borrowed from the Government, theoretically, they could buy almost anything, anywhere.
He said: “At least we are sure that the Port of Liverpool is profitable.
“I’d like to say the same about the New Strand but, if it is really such a good ‘buy’, why were the offshore owners so desperate to offload it when they came looking for the council last November?”
Despite claims from some that this is illegal, he said councillors are still being kept entirely in the dark over the financial viability of the purchase made in April.
Cllr Dawson added: “Unfortunately, the council bosses refused to provide councillors with any of the figures they were looking at when they made the purchase – even after the purchase was completed, so none of the councillors outside of the Cabinet are any the wiser about whether this is a good deal or a bad deal for the council – and, more importantly, for the Council Tax payers.”
Councillor Dawson pointed out to the meeting that Sefton Council did not have a brilliant record when it dabbled in in commercial matters: “They had to offload the Floral Hall complex and the Flower Show after making huge losses.
“Their management of the Pleasureland site has not been exactly a screaming success.
“If it wasn’t for (operator) Norman Wallis they would be in a right pickle.
“They are still losing hundreds of pounds every week on Southport Indoor Market and there are other commercial ventures they’ve been involved in which have not done too well.
“Since the Bootle-based bosses are still keeping shtum about the cashflow predictions presented to their secret Cabinet meeting, all we can do is keep our fingers crossed.
“And perhaps our toes as well.”