Some years ago I went to my bank manager (when they still existed) looking for investment capital in what I believed to be a great business idea.

“And how much do you intend to invest in this venture?” he enquired. I shrugged my shoulders explaining that my funds were somewhat limited.

“You see it is a basic principle of business that any enterprise looking for investment should share the financial risk.”

Happily it was the start of a long and fruitful association but I cannot say that would have been the case had my risk been minimal. Knowing I stood to lose every penny I had focused my mind when the going got tough.

There were definitely times I would have walked away but my wise bank manager had structured the deal to ensure that my loss would be greater than that of the bank.

So when Bure Valley Adventure Ltd came along to Cheshire East council with ‘a great business idea’ it was natural CEC would insist they share the risk with a significant investment wasn’t it? Wrong.

Your council so loved the idea of creating Bewilderwood (a kids’ adventure playground) in Tatton Park they agreed taxpayers would finance the entire project at a cost of £5m plus  £1.5m for the supporting infrastructure.

With no investment from Bure Valley Adventure whatsoever CEC agreed to carry the entire financial risk. BVA will (hopefully) repay the debt over 12 years but I know of no bank in the land that would agree to such an arrangement.

In one sweeping gesture CEC committed taxpayers to funding an enterprise that may or may not be successful with no risk to the holding company whatsoever.

BVA claim they already run a profitable park in Norfolk so why can’t they invest in Tatton? Their latest annual accounts submitted to Companies House for the year up to 31/12/2011 reported ‘cash at bank’ of £19,733, ‘liabilities’ worth £335,655.

Is this a company you want to invest £6.5m of your money in? Well, you have but CEC didn’t want you to find out. It took the Information Commissioner to order CEC to reveal the details kept secret since the deal was done in August 2011.

Now it may be that Tatton Bewilderwood will be a huge success but should we be taking the risk when the council are slashing services and we’re driving around in the dark?

If it is such a ‘sure fine winner, guvnor’ how come BVA are investing nothing while we dumb fools shoulder the lot?

If Bewilderwood fails and BVA walk away CEC will have the right to take over a venture in which they have absolutely no experience whatsoever. Just how gullible do you have to be?

Look, I have no problem with risk takers, entrepreneurs or, speculators I just don’t want to be one and by committing my taxes to a high-risk venture I already am whether I like it or not, and so are YOU.

If this falls on its ass we’ll be picking up the tab. All £6.5m of it. Twist!