THE leader of Worcester City Council has warned against "dither and delay" over the new £10.4 million swimming pool project - insisting it cannot be looked at again after the elections.

Councillor Simon Geraghty insists the decision "has already been made" to press on with the big Perdiswell project and says any delays could lumber taxpayers with an even bigger bill.

The pool is set to open by the end of 2016 under a very tight timescale laid down by the Conservative leadership, but the funds for it are still being drawn up.

Finance chiefs are hoping a £2 million grant from Sports England will help part-fund it with a loan, cash from the £3.1 million sale of its old Orchard House complex and future money from a sale of the Sansome Walk site also factored in.

During a full council meeting, Labour Councillor Roger Berry called for a fresh vote on the new pool once those funds have been firmed up.

At the moment, the cabinet will take any future decisions on the financing assuming it gets full planning approval this summer, but not the 35-member full council.

Cllr Berry said: "Clearly there's a large number of issues still to be finalised and it's important we are kept informed of any updates on the success or otherwise of Sport England.

"It seems to be me this should be approved at full council and not cabinet."

Cllr Geraghty said: "As we've already set out we are operating within the constitution and the council has already had its say.

"It made that decision to go ahead and we are operating within the financial envelope available to us - the debate has already been had.

"I firmly believe this should go ahead providing it comes within the finances set out, I don't think we should take it back for any dither and delay."

Last month a progress report was published for the cabinet revealing how £975,000 of taxpayers' money has been spent preparing for it so far, with the current Perdiswell Leisure Centre due to be extended and totally transformed.

The report says the council, which has worked closely with Sport England on the bid, believes it has a "strong chance" of success, calling it "the culmination of several years work.

The planning application includes the promised 25-metre eight lane pool, a learner pool with a moveable floor, a gym, cafe, grandly titled 'changing village', spectator area, office and storage space and room for 415 parking spaces.