Cash-strapped Welshpool set for asset sell-off
Parts of Dolyfelin playing field, historical paintings and even the Christmas ornamental reindeer are all set to be offloaded, and that could just be the start as the Town Council looks to ease its financial worries.
With the Town Council no longer bidding to buy the former Youth Centre building, they will also look to sell the tarmac area which was home to the former skatepark that will now be built on the car park close by.
Only four months ago, the Town Council was forced to take out an advance on its council tax precept from the county council after admitting cash flow problems.
And at the Finance Committee meeting, Cllr Phil Pritchard said they were being kept in the dark over the real state of the local authority’s financial position.
A Sub Committee has drawn up a list of assets that could or should not be sold. They are then listed as:
Green – could sell
Amber – possibility
Red – No.
However, the discussion over the possible sale of part of the Dolyfelin playing field for social housing while retaining a strip alongside the play park drew an angry response.
Cllr Billy Spencer was vociferous in opposition, saying the council did not have the right to dispose of the land, but Cllr Morag Bailey said that there was a business case for sale of underused assets to support other areas of the town’s commitments.
The committee then voted to value and sell paintings of Queen Victoria and Napolean, and even the reindeer that is wheeled out once a year for the parade.
At one point during discussions, Cllr Pritchard, who is frustrated about the amount of money, believed to be over £250,000, spent on refurbishing the Tourist Information Centre, was asked to “stop raising your voice” by Committee Chair, Cllr Ben Gwalchmai.
A public meeting to explain its position, and the need to sell assets, was requested by Cllr Pritchard, but it wasn't supported by councillors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|