Tynedale Tories to hand over £15 million to fund County Council £230 million black hole

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 10th Mar 2008

Derek Kennedy

Finally the Conservatives on Tynedale Council have admitted that they will hand over millions upon millions to the new Unitary authority. At least £15 million of your money will be lost and is likely to be swallowed up by the County Council's £230 million debts.

In 2000 Tynedale council sold its council houses and had kept this money in the bank refusing to spend it, and allowing it to generate bank interest. Liberal Democrats have been saying for many years that the risk of the unitary council will result in the loss of this money and it should be invested in Hexham and Tynedale for the good of the people, for example Lib Dems called for the building of the new swimming pool in Hexham.

With the new council to be formed very soon, Conservative Tynedale Council embarrassingly admitted it would lose at least £15million. For 5 years we have warned the Council but the Tories buried their heads in the sand, pretending this would not happen. It is bitterly disappointing to hear this news after the Lib Dems had put so much effort in to broadcasting the warnings. £15 million could have done so much good in improving our town and district, now it is being handed over, we are worried this money could be spent in Blyth or Ashington."