A fresh row over swimming provision in the city has erupted after it emerged that the University of York is asking the local taxpayer to put a further £1m into its proposed swimming pool.

The news came to light at a meeting of the University of York Swimming Pool Steering Group yesterday, when it met for the first time since November 2008. It was confirmed that the council will now be expected to stump up £3m, rather than the £2m agreed back in 2007.

Labour's Sonja Crisp, who sits on the Steering Group, said:

"I was stunned when the £1m extra funding request was mentioned as I feel it has been hidden from me and other Council members. It appears the Lib Dem Executive has been discussing the possible commitment of a huge sum of public money behind closed doors.

"The city is currently looking at the need to build a Community Stadium, whilst demand also exists for a city centre pool. These are what we should be concentrating our efforts on, not giving away a further £1m of taxpayers money to the University who have already been given £2m from the public purse".

Leader of City of York Council's Labour Opposition Group, Coun. James Alexander said:

"The Lib Dem Council is in a dire financial situation due to mismanagement and waste. This year we are seeing £7m worth of savings that will lead to some redundancies and a downsizing of certain services. Now the Lib Dems seem to be considering whether to give away a further £1m to the University. Labour Councillors will be opposing this additional £1m as we did the initial £2m. We felt at that time the money could have been better spent kick-starting a city centre pool development to replace the loss at the Barbican".

A report is being prepared by council officers which is to go to the Executive in July. It is expected that this item will be discussed at the Full Council meeting on 15th July.