'We'll only pay Arun once skatepark is finished' say Aldwick councillors

They had been asked to pay their half of the 20,000 cost of the site at Avisford Park recreation ground upfront.

But the request from Arun District Council has been rebuffed by parish council chairman Cllr Carol Wiseman.

She told Arun she would pay 5,000 once work starts on the facility and the other 5,000 when she was satisfied it had been completed properly.

This was in contrast to the parish council's willingness to pay up early for a youth shelter to be installed at the recreation ground in January, 2006.

Cllr Mrs Wiseman said: "We are certainly not going to do what we did before and give Arun 10,000 to keep in their bank forever until they see fit to get around to doing the work."

Cllr Greg Burt said: "I think you are being far too charitable. Arun must have millions of pounds in reserve.

"They could have funded the new equipment rather than having to ask a parish council to send this money upfront."

The new half-pipe for the recreation ground has been chosen by skateboarders at the site.

Cllr Molly Myers added: "I think it's disgraceful we have not got this skatepark equipment over there now.

"It was promised for the school holidays."