READING'S council leader has hit back at "yah-boo politics" allegations that cash earmarked for a controversially scrapped health centre will be used "to fill other cracks in the budget".

Jo Lovelock has written to Reading West MP Alok Sharma, criticising him for backing a petition she claims "quite falsely" accuses her council of going back on a commitment to use the cash on local health facilities.

She insisted that since Berkshire West Primary Care Trust scrapped plans for a new health centre the council has pledged to consult residents again about alternative uses for the money.

Cllr Lovelock's letter added: "There is no question of our 'preparing the ground to use this money to fill other cracks in their budget', as you allege: it is there to provide community-related benefits in the former Battle Hospital site area and solely for that purpose."

She stressed the Section 106 cash, released by developers following the PCT's decision not to go ahead with the centre at the West Village in Oxford Road and expected to total �1.5m, has not yet been received from David Wilson Homes.

The council promises to spend it on "community related benefits", but West Village Residents Association launched a petition two weeks ago, backed by Mr Sharma, demanding it be invested in improving the area's health services.

The Tory MP said the money must be used to provide "incremental improvements to services for patients and not just used to fill other areas in the council's budget".

But Cllr Lovelock said: "I think elected representatives have a responsibility to give accurate information to residents, and I am concerned that Mr Sharma should have made claims which are wrong and irresponsible.

"I do feel that it would be much better for residents if the local MP sought to work with the council on genuine consultation, rather than indulging in yah-boo politics."

But Mr Sharma retorted: "There is a matter of trust as far as Battle ward residents are concerned since Labour councillors originally backed spending on increased health provision locally. Ms Lovelock has failed again to confirm what the money could be spent on or how broadly the council will be conducting its so called consultation."

He said anyone wishing to see the cash spent on local health should visit www.aloksharma.co.uk/health_petition