Liberal Democrats have voiced serious concerns over the lack of democratic scrutiny surrounding the Marine Lake Events Centre (MLEC) project in Southport, which has seen its budget balloon by £33 million to £106 million. The opposition party argues that decisions were made without proper oversight, as the council’s Cabinet—composed solely of Labour members—approved the additional costs in June without opposition input.
Project Costs and Funding
The MLEC project was initially approved with a £73 million budget, partly funded by a £37.5 million Town Deal grant for Southport and £17.7 million from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. The centre, built on the site of the demolished Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, aims to host entertainment shows, touring theatre, conferences, and exhibitions, with a projected annual footfall of over 500,000 visitors. Construction is set to begin in October, following preliminary works earlier in the summer, three years after the project was first greenlit.
Liberal Democrat Concerns
At a recent Sefton Council meeting, Liberal Democrat group leader John Pugh proposed an amendment to note the significant impact of the additional £33 million, which he said would impose a £3.6 million annual charge on the revenue budget and council taxpayers for 40 years. He criticised the lack of information provided to non-Cabinet members, stating: “We’re all being asked to agree to borrow £33m to complete the new conference centre, on top of the £20m we have already agreed to borrow. It’s a fairly hefty sum.”
Pugh highlighted that while Cabinet members had access to a 280-page document detailing the rationale, opposition councillors were not allowed to see it. He warned against “trusting naively in the judgment of those who have clearly got it badly wrong before,” referencing a previous £32 million loan for the Strand shopping centre in Bootle, which failed to deliver expected returns.
Council Leader’s Response
Council leader Marion Atkinson defended the project, saying: “Project costs have increased across the country and the world, as international events push prices up.” She accused Pugh of insulting council officers and recalled that when the Liberal Democrats were in power, the Atkinson arts centre saw a 33% cost increase on a simple refurbishment.
Reform UK Amendment
Reform councillor Thomas Swaney proposed an amendment to refer the additional £33 million back to Cabinet for reconsideration and to commission an independent financial review of the MLEC project. Atkinson responded by criticising Reform’s stance on scrutiny, citing examples of Reform-led councils suspending their own scrutiny committees. Pugh opposed the independent review, arguing it would further delay the project and “stymy its ability to proceed.”
Vote Outcome
The Liberal Democrat amendment was narrowly rejected, with 30 opposition councillors voting in favour and 33 Labour councillors against. The Reform amendment was defeated more decisively, with only four votes in favour. Lib Dem councillor Iain Brodie-Browne remarked: “You choose to hide that information, and in choosing to hide that information you prevent the rest of us having proper scrutiny,” a statement met with applause from the public gallery.
