20/10/2026
£341,430 already paid or committed - & repair work on Kingsthorpe’s Obelisk hasn’t even started! 😡
My Freedom of Information request to West Northamptonshire Council appears to have revealed £341,430 for consultancy and scaffolding outside the main repair contract. 😔
That is money paid or committed before the actual repairs have begun. How has a bill of this size built up, and who has been keeping an eye on it?
The winning repair bid adds another £234,744 excluding VAT. Together, the disclosed figures reach approximately £576,000 before contingency, with VAT treatment still needing clarification.
Approaching £600,000 — yet the repairs haven’t even started. 😳
The published refurbishment allocation is £360,000. Does the consultancy and scaffolding bill come out of that allocation, or separate budgets? We still need a clear answer.
For comparison, Northampton’s much older, medieval Queen Eleanor Cross was conserved in 2019 for a reported £95,000, with Historic England funding half. Obviously different structures, repair needs and prices — but a striking comparison that deserves scrutiny.
Our historic assets are important- but looking after them properly also means proper due diligence, firm cost control and transparent decisions.
Especially when residents are told money is tight and essential services face cuts which will continue to get worse.
Reform UK promised to tackle waste and protect taxpayers’ money. Where is the clear public explanation from its Cabinet of this project’s full costs?
What have they approved? What checks have they made? Where has the overall bill been properly explained and scrutinised at Cabinet or Full Council?
Why should residents need an FOI request to understand a bill of this size? What aren’t we being told?
I have now submitted a follow-up FOI asking for the consultancy/scaffolding breakdown, spending dates, overall budget, funding approvals and any outside contributions.
Residents deserve to know how much has actually been spent, what remains committed and what the final bill could be.
Reform promised scrutiny and savings. Its Cabinet now needs to show its working.
