The current Labour administration’s budget for the next 12 months was agreed at last week’s full council meeting after mounting pressure from councillors to remove provision for the loan to the Duchess of Northumberland.
Her Lilidorei Play Village, which would have an “Elfic Play Structure” as its centrepiece, is aimed at boosting the county’s visitor numbers.
But Hexham West’s Coun. Derek Kennedy handed in a 60-signature petition collected by residents of Warden who are opposed to the loan.
“This is all like to me because I’m really unclear on why the council has turned into this bank,” he told leader, Coun. Grant Davey.
“I, along with a lot of residents I have spoke to, are really uncomfortable with the whole idea.
“How much debt and risk is this council willing to tolerate?”
Ponteland West’s Coun. Veronica Jones asked: “Does this council have any idea how offended the people of Northumberland are by this?”
Alnwick’s Coun. Heather Cairns said the loan represented: “Giving to the man who has and taking everything away from the person who has not.”
Coun. Davey said the motivation for helping with the project was to bring 48 jobs with a spin-off in the tourism sector for Alnwick of an estimated further 32 jobs.
“Whatever you have read in the press this is not a play village for elves, it’s a world-class theme park,” he added.
The budget was agreed with the loan withdrawn until a detailed review can be carried out by the authority’s risk appraisal panel, which is made up of leading members and senior council officers.
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