RE ‘Bail Out?’ (Daily Echo, November 23), what a brilliant headline. Having read the article I’m still of the opinion this is an area in which Eastleigh Borough Council and we as taxpayers should not be involved.
I’ve been saying since 2009 there is something wrong with the business plan for the banks and private sector not to invest.
The confidential report written by Nick Tristan in my opinion shows this is still a very risky proposition, however the leader Cllr Keith House has made it clear he intends to carry on with the £32.2m hotel. The Sanquine proposition to fund the building of this hotel and then sell it to EBC indicates they are not confident the hotel is viable.
The statement that this will save the council £850,000 in interest is of concern. If this level of interest is over the build period, how much interest will be charged before the borrowing is cleared? What if the whole plan fails? We the taxpayers will end up footing the bill for many years to come.
Cllr House’s assurance that potential investment would be decided in public should be taken with a pinch of salt. As we have seen in the past, if he and his “Yes Sir” Cabinet decide to go ahead, it will be done.
I think this is a wonderful venue for cricket and other activities and I wish Hampshire Cricket every success. However I cannot support putting taxpayers’ money at risk.
For this report to be leaked indicates somebody in authority was concerned.
KEN WELLSTOOD, Eastleigh.
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