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Wrekin and Telford Liberal Democrats Campaigning across The Wrekin and Telford Constituencies |
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The Future of Albrighton's Old School
December 4, 2004 12:00 AM
The Village Hall Management Committee called a meeting at the Red House at 8pm on 3 December, to vote on a change of use for the Old School in Station Road. On 16 September, the Parish Council had decided not to renew the lease when it runs out in July 2005, and responsibility for the Old School would then revert to the Red House, a registered charity.
An earlier report on the condition of the Old School showed that in order to meet the conditions of the lease, over £20,000 would need to be spent on essential repairs. On top of that, the County Council had stated that another £25,000 would be required in order to make it suitable for youth activities, making a total cost of around £50,000.
Bearing in mind the limited income from the few existing users of the Old School, and the likelihood that these might not continue if hire charges were increased, the management committee had considered a number of options. The preferred option was to hire the building out to a commercial user at £7,500 a year, or if that failed, to sell the building for conversion, but NOT demolition, as was made clear to the meeting.
At the same time, the management committee had been negotiating with Bridgnorth District Council over a 125-year lease for the Red House, including a right to buy if and when funds became available. The asset is currently listed on the Housing Revenue Account, because of the upstairs flats that have been vacant for some time. Before being able to take over the new lease, considerable repair work on the Red House would have to be done. There are just not enough resources to cover both liabilities, hence the proposal to sacrifice the Old School in favour of the Red House.
279 people packed the hall to listen to the arguments, ask questions, and comment on the change of use. The meeting unanimously decided to seek retention of the Station Road Conservation Area, which includes the Old School and adjoining buildings, so people were asked to write to the Conservation Officer at Bridgnorth District Council to confirm their opinion.
A number of heated exchanges followed between some outspoken parish councillors and the chairman of the meeting. Finally, with some confusion, several votes were taken, which failed to achieve the 75% majority needed for a change of use of the Old School. The meeting seemed fairly evenly divided over a decision on the issue.
The only solution now is for the Parish Council to raise the parish precept by £50,000 in the 2005-06 financial year: £25,000 to cover the cost of dilapidations at the Old School, and £25,000 towards the repairs at the Red House, to ensure its future use for the community. After all, if the community votes to keep both village halls, despite all the financial arguments against, then they should be prepared to foot the bill through an increase in their Council Tax, unless some local philanthropist agrees to pay up instead!
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