Published: Friday, 24th April, 2009 12:00pm

Campaigners' anger at 'wasted' £25k

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CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Slough town hall from being demolished have slammed the council for reportedly spending more than £25,000 of public funds to prevent the building from becoming Grade II listed.

Campaign to Save Slough's Heritage, the group set up in response to the council's decision to tear down the building, have accused ‘greedy' councillors of irresponsibly squandering taxpayers money to fulfill their own political needs.

Campaign co-founder Martin Gibbons said: "We are shocked that the council has spent so much public money on expensive consultants to write useless reports given the harsh economic times.

"We question whether this is a good use of public funds given that independent experts from English Heritage have already recommended that the building should be Grade II listed and protected.

"With the council considering cuts in jobs and services, we think there are far better uses for such a large amount of money which would go a long way towards maintaining the magnificent historic town hall so future generations can enjoy Slough's most loved building."

Council leader Rob Anderson insisted that the money was not wasted. He said: "The money was spent to obtain an expert opinion.

The council did not seek a listing for the building but once we learnt of this we had a duty to reply in an informed manner."

The Campaign has been at loggerheads with the council since Cabinet members agreed last year to tear down the structure built in 1936 to make way for new property development.

To find out more about the Campaign visit www.savesloughtownhall.co.uk