Parish councillors in Croxley Green have needlessly handed over more than £60,000 to the district council in the past two years, it has been claimed.

Figures show that in the previous two years the authority has paid out nearly £70,000 so called "special expenses" for the upkeep of Rickmansworth's Watersmeet because, unlike other parish councils, it has no village hall of its own.

Last year £26,880 was paid, with a total of £42,340 handed over the year before.

Because of this, it has to pay thousands of pounds every year as a contribution for the upkeep of the facility.

It is claimed, however, that this money need not ever have been handed over because a village hall already exists in Croxley Green - the parish council's own offices in Community Way.

Roger Seabourne, who sits on both authorities, said he did not understand why fellow parish councillors had not demanded the hall be recognised as such by Three Rivers District Council, a move which would save tax payers' money.

Mr Seabourne, who promised in this year's council elections to act on the problem, is calling on the clerk of the council, David Allison, to act.

He said: "I'm 100 per cent confident that if they applied for a change of status it would be granted.

Some councillors have said the offices are not suitable for a village hall but this is not the issue; it is a technicality we can use to save money."

A budget submission form for next year, which contains the all important village wall question, must be submitted to the district council by the end of this month.

Councillor Seabourne is keen for the authority not to repeat the mistakes of previous years.

He added: "It makes no sense for them not to do this. Yes Three Rivers District Council will have to find this money from somewhere else but this is about value for money for the people of Croxley."

Former parish councillor Robert Ridley, who has worked with Mr Seabourne to raise the issue, added: "This money has been wasted because of the confusion at the council.

"Unfortunately because we've already paid it to the district council there is no way we can claim it back.

"It's very frustrating because this money could be better spent on other things. I just hope the council act before we waste even more money.

Parish council clerk David Allison contacted the Watford Observer to say the parish council wouldn't be making any comment.

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