The County Council says that the learning centre was publicly made ‘surplus to requirements’ in February last year. The authority says that it has never stopped Uckfield Town Council or anyone else from submitting a bid and that the Town Council has had months to prepare and submit an offer for the building. No formal offer from the Town Council has ever been received.
Despite this, the County Council has provided the Town Council with a further four weeks to submit a bid for the building.
Deputy Leader Tony Reid said: “The charge in some quarters that we are selling this building in some underhand way is not only completely untrue but also extremely offensive. The Town Council has known for months that this building was available and that other potential bidders were looking at the site. The Town Council told us that they wanted to apply for external funding, but there was absolutely no indication this would be successful and we cannot leave the building empty indefinitely as it is a drain on resources.
“When the council has any of its buildings available for sale, our aim is to get the best deal for the residents and taxpayers of the whole of the county, including Uckfield. Any funds that we gain from a sale are then re-invested in vital services, such as care for the elderly, supporting schools and transport and environment. This helps us in our overall aim of providing quality local services whilst keeping down increases in council tax.”
Councillor Reid moved to end speculation that the Council is involved in any ‘underhand’ deals over the sale of the former learning centre.
“We handle all bids in exactly the same way as any of us would when selling our own house. Any offer the Council receives for one of its properties must pass three tests. Is it a good price, does the bidder have the money to meet the price offer and can they complete the deal promptly? To suggest we are handling this sale in any other way is absolute nonsense. If the Town Council does submit a bid they will, like everyone else, have to pass these tests.
“It is normal commercial practice to keep details of bids confidential until negotiations are completed. Breach of this practice would affect our ability in future negotiations to get the best deal for council taxpayers.”
The County Council also pointed out that the eventual purchaser would have to gain planning permission from Wealden District Council, as planning authority, if they wanted to develop the site.
Reference:
1264
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