THERE are fears taxpayers could be hit with another hefty High Court legal bill because of a row over the former St Georges housing building.

Basildon Council is facing a legal battle after it allegedly refused to return the former offices of St Georges Community Housing, at Dunton Court in High Road, Laindon, to the condition they were first rented in.

The case was adjourned at the High Court this week.

However, Labour councillor Nigel Smith fears taxpayers could have to pay out tens of thousands of pounds if the case rumbles on and ends in defeat.

Mr Smith, who is on the council’s audit and risk committee, also wants the council to be open and honest, as councillors were not told about the case.

He said: “It was a shock to me we were involved in this, as no councillors were informed.

“I understand it could lead to a significant legal bill. We did badly in the Basildon Golf Course case, and the costs of that are still being calculated. There are also all the costs associated with the travellers.

“The council needs to be more open.

“The public have a right to know what is going on.”

Mr Smith plans to raise recent legal actions with the committee and ask why councillors and residents were not informed.

St Georges vacated the offices owned by Laindon Holdings, of Westmayne, Basildon, after the housing company, which looked after 12,000 council homes, was disbanded and the service taken back into council hands.

The council has been locked in a dispute with Laindon Holdings, run by Basildon businessman Michael Toomey, who runs the Toomey car dealerships based in Laindon, ever since.

St Georges moved into Dunton Court in 2007, at an annual cost of around £400,000.

Council leader Tony Ball said: “I am aware there is a case pending, but cannot go into the issues.”

Mr Toomey was unavailable for comment.