THE cabinet member responsible for Lydiard House and Park has defended his acquisition of the portfolio.

Coun Keith Williams took over responsibility for the house and park in February when Coun Garry Perkins, had the portfolio take n away from him by council leader David Renard.

Asked by fellow members to clarify the circumstances surrounding his appointment, Coun Williams said: “I was requested by the leader if I would be willing to take it on. I gave it some thought and I accepted.”

When asked by Labour’s Bob Wright, chairman of the scrutiny committee, why Lydiard was handed specifically to Coun Williams rather than any other cabinet member, he said: “I have been cabinet member for Lydiard previously, so it’s not something that’s new to me. I was originally on the Lydiard Park management board back when we were seeking Heritage Lottery funding. Also, I am a West Swindon councillor, whereas Coun Perkins is a Haydon Wick councillor.”

As a result, handing over responsibility for Lydiard made the most sense at the time, he said.

Earlier this year, the deal between Swindon Borough Council and the Lydiard Park Heritage Trust for the latter to take over the running of the park and house collapsed in a bitter row over maintenance costs. A survey commissioned by the council found £850,000 worth of backlog work needed to be carried out. But a similar survey commissioned by the trust put the repair bill at almost £5m.

Asked about the wild differences between the surveys and the amounts that each party thought necessary to be invested in the park and house, he thought there would always be a difference of opinion. But, he added: “There is an awful lot of consensus on the work that is required to be done”.

The council last month committed to undertaking all the vital repair work to the house within the next two years. Although this was interpreted as a step in the right direction, there was widespread disbelief when it was later announced that all the repair work could be done for just over £1m.

By committing to spending only £1m on Lydiard, the Lydiard Park Heritage Trust suggested the council was trying to renege on the deal. Coun Williams stressed the need to make the park more financially viable and to attract more visitors, especially over the summer months.