IT WILL cost £25 million to halt the decline of York's public buildings, a councillor revealed today.

But Liberal Democrat member Peter Vaughan accused City of York Council of ignoring the problem.

The shadow spokesman for resources said the council had allocated only £250,000 this year towards what amounts to being a financial crisis.

He said: "This is a drop in the ocean.

"Difficult decisions have to be made, and soon. We can't afford not to maintain the public buildings we desperately need, and we cannot afford to hold on to the land and buildings we don't.

"Most of all, we cannot afford to continue to deny the crisis to come."

Of the spending needed, Councillor Vaughan said £10 million had to be found for nine York schools alone.

The £25 million was needed over the next four to five years, simply to maintain the buildings. Extra money would be needed to update and improve them.

Councillor Vaughan said the council must debate the problem.

"Whilst Labour has presided over nearly 20 years of decline in the city, Liberal Democrats will continue to argue for a dialogue with the public to make clear the massive financial difficulties and choices which confront our city," he said.

"Local people must be involved in ensuring that their elected representatives face up to the financial facts of life.

"We need a long-term strategy to tackle the decades of neglect in our schools and public facilities, and an open and honest debate in the city as to how best to finance our aspirations."

However, council leader Rod Hills questioned where the money would come from.

"Councillor Vaughan is not telling us how this would be paid for.

"What does he suggest we cut to finance these repairs and maintenance works?

"Most of the buildings are perfectly useable - and we spend a lot more than £250,000 a year maintaining them.

"I do not deny there is a backlog on maintenance - no one in their right mind would do that.

"What we do, though, is make sure the public buildings are ship-shape and perfectly functional," said Coun Hills.

Updated: 10:50 Friday, August 24, 2001