Liberal Democrats have raised concerns that opposition councillors and the public are being frozen out of key decisions on York’s new Community Stadium, and promised public facilities at the site could be “under threat”.

The concerns follow the news that the cross-party Stadium Advisory Group, which helped coordinate the project before planning permission was granted in May, has been disbanded and no replacement has been set-up. Earlier this month, in a decision taken in private by officers, City of York Council decided to transfer all aspects of the design, building, management and maintenance of the new stadium to a private contractor. The contract, which has now been put out to tender, also includes the daily operation of Energise and Yearsley Pool.

The Council is expected to contribute a further £4 million to the stadium project, which will see a new 6,000-seat home for York City FC and York City Knights plus a range of community facilities. The indicative outline for the scheme included amenities ranging from youth sport pitches, to hospital outpatient facilities, to a new Explore Library.

Councillor Nigel Ayre, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Leisure and Culture and an ex-Member of the Advisory Group, commented:

“It is concerning that important decisions are being taken without any democratic oversight or scrutiny from elected councillors. A lot of taxpayers money is being put into this project and we need to ensure that it is being spent well.

“The plans were approved on the basis that the new site will have a range of community facilities, which could include a new library, play and junior sport areas, and health care services. It is during the procurement process that these plans will be decided. This is why proper public input and effective councillor scrutiny at this stage is so vital.

“If Labour don’t get control of the situation the successful delivery of these facilities could be under threat, with opposition councillors and the public only finding out what will be developed after the contract has been awarded.

“The public have a number of questions, but as usual this Council has a deaf ear. As Executive Member, I set-up the Advisory Group to allow transparency and full scrutiny of the plans. For Labour to now disband it at such a crucial phase is foolish. How they hope to deliver a true community stadium without dialogue with the community is a mystery.”

Cllr Ayre, who served as Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture under the last Lib Dem administration, added:

“It is also worrying that under these procurement plans taxpayers are losing control over the day-to-day running of Energise and Yearsley Pool. We need to carefully monitor this.”