A COMPLAINT that Grimsby's proposed new £8.4 million swimming pool does not represent good value for taxpayer's money is no longer being pursued by the council's external auditor.
John Prentice, engagement lead at KPMG, the private firm contracted by the Audit Commission to inspect the accounts of local authorities in the Yorkshire and Humber region, confirmed in April that he was looking into the matter after being contacted by Laceby resident Richard Macklam.
Mr Macklam, a member of the Save Scartho Baths campaign, e-mailed Mr Prentice, claiming that the work could be done for around £2 million less than the quoted price tag.
In his correspondence he included quotations provided by a professional builder stating that his company could design and build a 25 metre pool – the same size as the proposed new facility at Cromwell Road – for between £5.5 and £6 million, and a 50 metre international standard pool for around £7.5 million.
But Mr Prentice has now informed North East Lincolnshire Council that he does not plan to take any further action over the matter, after being satisfied by its responses to his enquiries.
Council chief executive Tony Hunter said: "It is not unusual for people to contact our external auditor on issues of potential concern. The auditor then brings such matters to our attention for explanation to his satisfaction.
"In this case, the council has been informed that there are no plans to take any further action."
Mr Macklam said he was disappointed to hear that his complaint would not be taken further, adding that he had not yet received a formal response from Mr Prentice.
He said: "We feel that spending £8.4 million would be a misuse of public funds when you could refurbish Scartho Baths for much less.
"I would love to go out and buy a new Mercedes but I can't afford one. I get my car serviced and keep it going."
However, campaigners say they have not given up on the fight to save the Scartho Road pool. It is set to close when the proposed new facility on Cromwell Road is up and running, expected to be in 2015.
Campaigner Byron Miller said: "We haven't given up yet. We are awaiting the outcome of the planning application and are just hoping that common sense will prevail."
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OBJECTING TO THE APPLICATION Eight residents have so far submitted formal objections to the planning application for the new swimming pool at Cromwell Road in Grimsby. The application is due to go before North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee on July 31. Most of the residents state the location of the proposed new pool and "inadequate" road access and bus services as the reasons for their objection. Others also cite an "overspend" of public money, and say that the scheme is not wanted by the public. Their comments echo the objections raised by campaigners from Save Scartho Baths, who last year called on the council to reconsider its decision to replace the 50-year-old facility. But, despite a petition signed by more than 7,000 people, the council voted to press ahead with the new £8.4 million pool in December. If approved, the new pool is expected to be open by November 2015.