TRAFFORD Council has hit back at claims of mismanaged spending after it was revealed that more than £16,000 was forked out for the Altrincham monolith.

A gateway marker was recently unveiled outside Altrincham Interchange, in the middle of Stamford New Road.

The monolith, inscribed ‘Altrincham Market Town 1290’ (year of establishment), forms part of a wider multi-million pound transformation project for Altrincham town centre.

In response to a Freedom Of Information (FOI) request querying costs, Martin Ledson, town centres manager for Trafford Town Council, revealed that £16,022 was spent on the four-metre metal slab.

Altrincham resident Kevin Parker, who submitted the FOI, branded the installation a ‘vanity project’ and criticised the council for ‘a complete lack of foresight or financial control’ at a time when key services are being cut or reduced.

Trafford Council said the comments made by Kevin regarding the funding for the Altrincham town centre regeneration project are ‘completely inaccurate and misleading’.

It said the vast majority of the funding secured for the start of Phase 1 of the public realm scheme was from external sources; £1,150,000 in Section 106 funding and £733,000 from the Transport for Greater Manchester Growth Fund, with the remaining £95,000 from Trafford Council’s Capital Programme.

A council spokesperson said: “To insinuate that the council is somehow placing greater emphasis on this project than supporting its frontline services is disingenuous.

“The council is recognised nationally as a value for money authority which effectively balances its budget, while remaining committed to funding vital services which support those most vulnerable across the borough.

“This key town centre transformation programme is one that has been welcomed by local people and businesses, all seeing it as vital to secure the future prosperity and development of Altrincham, as part of the council’s commitment to its town centres.

“It is already seeing the positive impact of the investment in the town centre, which is a factor in many new businesses opening and the number of empty shops continues to reduce.

“In future, council funding will be wholly provided by business rates, creating the best possible public realm to attract new business will help to provide funding for vital front line services.”

Kevin refuted the council’s claim that his comments were misleading and said it would be difficult for Trafford Council to justify this expense to those directly affected by budget cuts, such as a family with a disabled child and adults reliant on social care.

Kevin said: “Trafford Council have commented that my claims are disingenuous in terms of their support for frontline services. This is a surprising response based on the current budget savings of £23millon from the 2016/17 budget which has included cuts to adult social care, school transport for disabled children and other key services which serve the most vulnerable residents in Trafford.

“Similar concerns in terms of its ‘extremely poor’ performance in issuing final educational plans for special needs school leavers in the borough have also been raised.

“Since the news story broke with the media, social media comments from residents also highlight other issues that remain active and unresolved within the region. These include pot holes, litter management, school crossing patrols and genuine shock and disappointment that frontline services remain under pressure whilst a separate ‘ring fenced’ budget seems to allow spending folly. In addition, businesses have commented how £16,000 could have been better invested for ROI (Return on Investment).”

Kevin is now awaiting response from an additional Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted to Trafford Council. He has asked what consultation was undertaken with local residents and businesses in specific terms of the monolith. He also requested a summary of what due diligence was undertaken and a copy of the works programme or contract with the supplier. Lastly, he asked what remedial action would be taken for the spelling error on the monolith and the costs incurred.

Trafford Council confirmed it would be responding directly to Kevin’s FOI request.