‘Over-ambitious’ plans come under fire

KIRKLEES COUNCIL is being “over-ambitious” when developing major schemes in the borough, it is claimed.

Senior Conservative John Taylor issued the warning in the wake of a financial update that showed officers involved in major programmes anticipated “slippage” – or shortfall – of up to 40 per cent in the budgets of planned projects. But Labour’s Graham Turner said it was not dangerous to have ambitions and it was right that the council should “stretch” itself when taking on significant ventures.

A financial management update to the council’s Corporate Scrutiny Panel revealed a £12m shortfall forecast against the £101m revised capital budget.

The capital plan includes projects such as Pioneer House, in Dewsbury, which was taken over by Kirklees Neighbouring Housing after the original contractor went into administration, and the HD One development at the John Smith’s Stadium site.