During a ‘catch-up read’ of my Wharfedale Observer (September 26, 2013 issue) I was pleased to read of the increased use of the Otley ‘Core’ building by Otley town councillors and the people of Otley.

I was less pleased however, to read of Councillor Everleigh’s description of the £7,000 overspend on the original cost estimate as ‘slight’. On an adjacent page was an article on the ongoing rebuild/refurbishment of the Orchard Gate toilets which I was amazed and dismayed to learn was now to cost we ratepayers of the town a massive £110,000.

This is some £30,000 plus increase and overspend of the previously quoted estimate by Otley Town councillors at the Annual Parish Meeting on Monday, May 13, 2013.

The Observer article also revealed that the final cost of this project would now be funded by a Council-arranged ten-year loan. All this outlay from the town’s ratepayers for a building and facility owned throughout by a private company.

Councillor Everleigh was quoted on the gains to the town and general public from the refurbishment but failed to mention the massive overspend or why it had become necessary to arrange a ten-year loan to pay for the project; this appears to have been a decision reached solely by Town Council members.

Having attended the open meeting of the Town Council in May of 2013 and spoken to a number of councillors I was hopeful of an increase of the release of information from the Council and possible consultation on future plans, particularly when affecting additional costs to be paid by the town’s ratepayers.

It was also notable that no mention was made at this time on the stalled/still deteriorating refurbishment of our Civic Centre. In view of the almost £40,000 overspend on the Core and toilets perhaps the Town Council should consider appointing a fully qualified financial expert fully conversant with checking future estimation costs.

Has Leeds Council contributed any monies to these projects? Or even been approached to do so?

John S Slater, Croft House Drive, Otley