Councillors clashed again last night over the botched, delayed and over budget refurbishment works to the William Penn Leisure Centre.

The project was described as a “pantomime” by angry conservative members who called for the resignation of leisure portfolio holder Councillor Chris Whately-Smith.

The Conservative group, the main opposition group to the Liberal Democrat administration, demanded to know:

  • why the contract of builders Gee construction was terminated so late in the project
  • and why council members were not consulted on the decision

Building work has yet to resume at the site since the contract was terminated three weeks ago – a decision that will almost certainly end in a costly legal battle.

Conservative Group leisure spokesman Councillor Tony Barton, speaking at a meeting of the full council last night described the ongoing debacle as a “farce.”

Councillor Barton, who has opposed the scheme since it started, demanded to know how such a major decision could be made “above the heads” of elected members.

Council Chief Executive Dr Steven Halls, however, explained the decision had been taken by an unnamed council officer and did not need to be approved by councillors.

He added that an advisory meeting of the council’s cabinet had met to advise on the situation but had taken no minutes because they were not necessary by law.

Speaking after the meeting Councillor Barton added: “In all my years of experience it has been councillors who have made such big decisions. Something really stinks here.

“What is the point of us being here if we are just going to be ignored like this? Also we still don’t know why they pulled the plug on Gee so late in the day.”

He put this question to the man blamed by some opposition councillors for the debacle – Liberal Democrat Councillor Whately-Smith.

Calling for his resignation he added: “We think, on this side, you are completely inadequate for this position.”

Councillor Whately-Smith, however, said he would not resign and promised to see the project through to its end.

The council plans to work with its architects and a series of subcontractors to finish the works. It has not given a revised completion date.