COUNCILLORS in Swindon have been told to ensure they have enough money before committing to major schemes.

The resources commission, which makes recommendations to the cabinet, laid out the new rules for spending to prevent a repeat of the situation which put the £2 million park and ride scheme at Wroughton at risk.

There are doubts over whether the council has enough money to fund it and the scheme is expected to lose £200,000 in its first year.

A new framework aims to prevent surprise costs and has been given to all departments involved in capital spending schemes.

Financial problems have also jeopardised a youth centre built as a gift to North Swindon people by Asda Wal-Mart because the council cannot afford to run it.

Lead member for finance, Nick Martin (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms), said more thought had to be given to the amount of money available before projects go ahead.

He said: "The current oversight with the park and ride should never have occurred in the first place and Steam is still costing us money.

"We are re-emphasising the ground rules and have spelt it out and reminded officers and members to consider the costs of any projects.

"If we have any big spending issue we have to sit down and predict the future capital and revenue costs to do those projects.

"In the past a number of these areas have been overlooked. It is residents' money, whether from Government taxation or council tax, and if we have costs which come up by surprise it might mean cutting back on other services.

"We are working with a very tight budget. It is clear we are going to have to increase council tax."

The revised framework for spending sets out the requirement to identify and secure revenue funding for a scheme in advance of it commencing.

Council leader Mike Bawden (Old Town and Lawns) has told transport officers to look at scaling down the Wroughton park and ride project.

The only completed park and ride scheme in the town The Copse in Cricklade Road is yet to make money after opening three years ago.