VAF fees soar to nearly £4 million
December 10, 2008 12:00 AM
The financial shambles surrounding the much-troubled Visual Arts Facility in Colchester took a new twist today when it was revealed that professional fees for the project have soared from £2.52 million to £3.8 million - with a warning that they could rise even higher.
The shock disclosure was made by Colchester MP Bob Russell who has been a strong critic of the VAF from long before work was even started. He has constantly pointed out that the project was not financially viable.
Building costs for the VAF have risen from £16.5 million to a current estimated £27 million - and the contract for the project means that professional fees are paid as a percentage of the final cost, not the cost as originally budgeted.
Mr Russell said: "This is an added insult for the people of Colchester who are going to have to pay for decades for this folly.
"The more expensive the VAF becomes the more the professionals who are involved in its design and construction get. I am one of those who believe that the professionals are answerable to what has gone on, yet not only are they being paid for the farce they actually get paid even more as the costs soar. Where is the incentive for them to get the job done at the original quoted price? I think they have a cheek in expecting to be paid for what has gone on, yet they are in line to pocked even more."
He added: "Councillors have been told of the rising figures, along with a warning that if building the VAF is further prolonged then the revised cost of £3.8 million for professional fees will potentially increase."
Mr Russell said that he would be writing to the Council's Chief Executive, Mr Adrian Pritchard, to ask for a list of those to whom professional fees are paid seeking a break-down of the original budgeted sum and the revised figure. "I think people should know who these professional people are, and how much they are costing the public purse."
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