WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones and Warrington Borough Council (WBC) have clashed over the Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub development project.

In July, the executive board voted for the governance, management and financial responsibilities of LiveWire's project to revert to the council under the management of Warrington & Co.

Following an internal audit review, it was also concluded that a status of 'minimal assurance' should be applied to the multi-million pound venture.

Mrs Jones is 'demanding answers' from the council after discovering that the authority has taken over the scheme.

She said: "Once again, we see that LiveWire is incapable of managing a project properly.

"As we saw with the flawed consultation on libraries, they are a failing organisation.

"It receives most of its funds from the council yet it is totally unaccountable.

"No one, it seems, has resigned over this latest fiasco.

"Any private company would not be given further contracts after an episode like this yet LiveWire carries on regardless and council taxpayers in Warrington pick up the bill.

"I remain concerned that the governance review into LiveWire is too limited in its scope and will not investigate issues like their management of the Great Sankey Hub project, or why it has been taken off them.

"The review document does not seem to be concerned with their competence – it should be.

"As far as I am aware this failure has not been discussed by the council as a whole."

WBC said it 'remains focused' on delivering a scheme which benefits residents 'across the borough'.

A council spokesman added: "Updated plans to drive forward the development of Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub were approved by the executive board in July.

“The project – to transform the existing leisure centre into an integrated state of the art facility that provides leisure, health, and cultural services – has been progressing since 2015 with key partners in the town, including LiveWire and WBC, working closely together on its development.

"However, the construction process presented some complex challenges due to the age and condition of the original building and Warrington & Co, with their expertise and experience in managing the council's capital investment programmes, were asked to assume responsibility of the project as part of its construction portfolio.

"LiveWire will continue to work closely with Warrington & Co and the council to deliver a range of services from the building.

"The community interest company will also manage the building once it's open to the public.

"Executive board also approved changes to how the project is financed.

"The council had previously approved a series of loans to LiveWire but the council will now fund the project directly and take control of any external grants which have been awarded to LiveWire by national funding bodies to deliver the project.

"Livewire will be granted a lease for the building.

"With the challenges that have arisen and with the savings that can be made through reduced VAT exposure, it makes good business sense for the council and Warrington & Co to manage the development of the project to its conclusion, while working closely with LiveWire to utilise their expertise in delivering the town's leisure and health and wellbeing services.

"We will of course respond to the Warrington North MP's correspondence directly, though we are surprised that the MP is involving herself in a project outside her constituency."

LiveWire has also responded after coming in for criticism from Mrs Jones.

A spokesman said: "LiveWire will continue to use their expertise, in the health and wellbeing sector, to manage a range of services from Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub and will continue to work closely with Warrington & Co on the development of the project leading up to its opening.

"This has been a partner-led project from the start, involving a range of key agencies from across the town.

"We will continue to work closely with all key partners involved to ensure the new facility delivers high quality health and wellbeing services that are tailored to the needs of the residents in this area."