A SCRUTINY committee will review whether council spending on the 'community' stadium project should be stopped.

A motion was put forward by Liberal Democrats at Wycombe District Council on Monday night to 'cease' putting money into the project in the light of severe Government cuts to its budget.

Around £750,000 has been earmarked by the council for investigative work on the new ground plans, including the public consultation, which 8,500 people responded to.

About a third has been spent so far.

Lib Dems said the proposed new Wasps and Wanderers new ground, which dominated proceedings at the meeting, was a 'speculative' venture with no financial benefits guaranteed.

The proposal to suspend further funds being spent by the council has been referred to the Improvement and Review Commission, headed by Cllr Alex Collingwood.

The Conservative cllr, from Marlow, agreed to examine the motion at the next meeting.

The role of the commission is to monitor decisions made by the Cabinet and to help review and develop council policy.

The notice of motion submitted by Lib Dem Leader Cllr Steve Guy read: “The Comprehensive Spending Review requires that all Local Authorities release savings as part of the national effort to reduce the structural deficit.

"This council is facing tough decisions as it plays its part in making those savings in coming years.

“This council has earmarked £750,000 for preparatory activities designed to facilitate a possible new 'community stadium' for London Wasps and Wycombe Wanderers.

“Approximately one third of this money has been spent so far.

“At this time the venture is speculative with no guarantee of bringing long term overall benefit to the district, or to the council's finances.

“This council therefore resolves to cease spending public money on the community stadium forthwith.”

The commission's next meeting is January 12 – five days before a special cabinet meeting when a decision is expected.

The results of the consultation will be published in a Cabinet report on January 7.

Meanwhile, council leader Lesley Clarke told the Bucks Free Press that after the cabinet makes an initial stadium decision on January 17 it will then be passed on to the full council to ratify a decision.