Concerns have been raised over "secrecy" surrounding the cost of demolishing the former Southport theatre.
Opposition and Sefton Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr John Pugh said the council’s decision to restrict information about the demolition costs due to “commercial sensitivity” means the public are not able to scrutinise whether the contract is value for money.
The demolition of the former theatre is to pave the wave for a £73m project to create a new events centre and water feature in Southport as a centrepiece to its regeneration plans for the resort town.
It follows the council winning over £37m in Town Deal funding for its plans to revitalise Southport with much of that to be spent on the new events centre, complete with Light Fantastic, water, light, and sound show in the neighbouring Marine Lake.
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The council has also received around £20m in city region funding for the project and indicated last year the additional £20m needed would be met by Sefton Council.
With an operator appointed last year, a main contractor this year and planning approved in March, the council has been moving ahead with the project, with demolition works due to commence this summer.
Cllr John Pugh said he was concerned that the council has refused to disclose the total costs of demolition work in relation to the former theatre at the site.
He said there was a “public interest” in knowing how much it would cost given it was being funded by public money.
Cllr Pugh said: “The demolition is announced and programmed in for July, (perhaps the not the best time at the height of the holiday season), but it cannot be the case that no contract for the works is signed.
“If the contractor is signed up to do it he knows what he is getting paid and Sefton hopefully has a good idea of what it is likely to pay.
“There will be many more contracts to be issued, I am sure, but I cannot see how this one qualifies as ‘commercially sensitive.’
“Regardless of what people think or feel about the need for demolition there is a public interest in knowing the cost.
“It’s the public’s money that is funding it and they would like to know how their money is being spent and how much of it.
“Not to release the basic cost is shrouding matters in unnecessary secrecy. People will form and will want to form their own judgement on whether it’s money well spent, but without a clear figure set out, you will get pointless speculation and public paranoia.”
Cllr Pugh added: “Good risk assessment requires the proper scrutiny of costs in my view. ”
Sefton Council was contacted for comment and a spokesperson said the Cllr Pugh had correctly asserted the information was “commercially sensitive” and “wholly confidential.”
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