A COUNCIL which sparked outrage when it revealed it had £177,000 of unspent cash said the public had “false perceptions” about its financial dealings.

Harwich Town Council has about £177,000 of unallocated cash in its coffers and wants to spend £167,000 of it on disabled access to The Guildhall.

The revelation last month prompted calls for an inquiry into the council’s financial accounts.

The money has not been officially allocated for the work, but the amount was earmarked for the disabled access with debate to take place in the future.

Councillor Robert Day, made a speech at Harwich Town Council’s last meeting, after being made chairman of the finance and general purposes committee.

"The project has not even been put out to tender to establish how much disabled access would cost and no grant aid has been sought to assist Harwich Town Council with the project," he said.

“The Guildhall, one of only two Grade I listed buildings in the Tendring district, is a great asset to our town and I believe it would be a major achievement to deliver access to all for the first time."