Following a court judgement concerning Victoria Hall back in September, Ealing Liberal Democrats say that Labour are delaying with Victoria Hall renovations.

Meanwhile the Charity Commission said that two changes are needed before any new lease can be agreed.

Liberal Democrats believe that the council are "intentionally" delaying because they know if they pull out of the deal to renovate the Town Hall with the developer Mastcraft, Ealing would need to pay it £350,000 plus VAT (£420,000).

Councillor Athena Zissimos, the Liberal Democrat on the Victoria Hall Trust Committee, wants to see the community building back in use after Ealing Labour have "wasted" in excess £3m of council taxpayers money fighting residents in the courts.

At a recent Trust Committee meeting (21 November), Cllr Gary Malcolm, Leader of the Opposition, attended and demanded that Ealing Council make changes that the Commission requires.

The Ealing Libs Dems say failing to make changes means more delay and the council should agree immediately to hire an independent surveyor to make decisions about the boundary which is being disputed by Ealing Council and its residents.

Cllr Gary Malcolm, Leader of the Opposition, said: "Liberal Democrats believe that these issues have been dragging on for over five years.

"The Court of Appeal has also asked Labour-run Ealing Council to reverse the current party-political councillor majority to a more independent community focussed majority by increasing independent members from three to five and reducing the councillors from four to three."

To see the council's response, click here.

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