CEREDIGION County Council has insisted it was correct to withhold information about the final cost of Aberystwyth’s new bandstand after rejecting a request to reconsider.

The Cambrian News requested a review of the council’s decision to refuse a Freedom of Information request into the cost of the new facility amid claims that the cost had soared by £300,000 to £1.5m, with the authority in dispute with the Pembrokeshire-based contractors on the scheme.

But that review backed the council’s initial stance in refusing to provide the final figure because it is “commercially sensitive” and the council could face a legal challenge if it provided information that was given to the authority “in confidence”.

A referral of the authority’s refusal to provide details of how much taxpayers’ money was spent on the new bandstand has now been made to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Alun Williams, the council’s head of policy support services, said the council’s stance on refusing to provide the information had been upheld.

He said: “With regard to the contents of your appeal letter, I can confirm that I have taken on board all of your comments and have fully reviewed your original request, as well as the response provided to you on 17 March.

“I can advise that, having done so, I am of the opinion that the exemptions applied (s.41 - Information provided in confidence and s.43 - Commercially sensitive information) should be maintained for the reasons provided within the refusal notice issued to you.”

The Cambrian News was forced to make the FOI request after the council refused to confirm the final cost of the bandstand, despite previously giving an early estimated cost of £900,000 and then a tender cost of £1.2m in public meetings.

The opening of the facility was delayed after building work over-ran, but sources have insisted that the cost of the facility had increased to £1.5m with the council and contractor in dispute over the full cost.