Credit crunch hits hall plan

THE credit crunch has persuaded councillors at Warrington to scale down a proposed £1 million “rescue” plan for Walton Hall.
Members of the borough council’s development control committee have shelved part of the scheme – saving £350,000.
They will press ahead with urgently needed new kitchens and renovation and redecoration of the hall at a cost of £650,000.
But they have instructed officers to carry out an urgent review of the council’s capital programme to see if funding can be found to avoid borrowing the money.
New kitchens are urgently needed to enable the hall to continue operating as a catering and hospitality venue and councillors were warned that if the work was not carried out the hall would have to close with the loss of £500,000-a-year income.
Originally, officers had recommended the council press ahead with the full £1 million scheme, which also included a pavilion and new toilets, using prudential borrowing powers which allow local authorities to borrow money without government approval.
Coun Alan Litton, executive member for environment services, said the existing kitchens were “not fit for purpose” and the penalty for not replacing them would be closure.
Walton Hall, he said, was “looking rather tired.”
Coun Fiona Bruce, (pictured) executive member for finance and value for money, warned against borrowing money for the scheme in the current economic climate.
She suggested looking for alternative ways of raising the money or “cutting our clothes according to our cloth.”
Pressing ahead with the full scheme would be “a little adventurous”.
Environment director Andy Farrall warned that the scaled down proposal would leave the hall with reduced public toilet provision.
He saw no decline in tourism and hospitality as a result of the economic situation.
The board unanimously agreed to press ahead with the replacement kitchens but to put off, for the time being, the pavilion and toilets.
It was also agreed to borrow £650,000 – but only if a review of the capital programme revealed the money could not be found elsewhere.
After the meeting, Coun Bruce said: “The future development of Walton Hall is an exciting project. I am pleased that as a result of tonight’s debate the executive board has confirmed the determination of this administration to look at alternative forms of funding other than borrowing.”