Delay Battle’s Almonry plans until lockdown is over

Agreement on the proposals to carry out refurbishment and new south wing was to be deferred until the Parish Assembly when they could be properly discussed, for as of 22nd January no details of the requirements, scope of works, plans or costs of these works were available to discuss.

As the parish assembly has been cancelled this cannot happen now.

However, the council have issued an Annual Report containing 4 options for the Almonry:-

1 Refurbish & new build

2 Refurbish only

3 Relocate council offices

4 Sale of the Almonry

These give outline unquantified requirements and costings and asking residents to vote on the options and whether they are prepared to pay increased rates.

Again no firm details have been given!

At this stage it ought to be possible to issue the proposed schedule of accommodation along with outline sketches, showing the revised existing and additional new build accommodation, along with estimated costs of the proposals.

These ought to be available as various figures have been given in the Annual Report options, though they do not seem to be coherent.

It should also be possible to declare the proposed form of tender to be used for the construction, which will be based on the details requested above, and when tenders will be sought.

As the Almonry is a listed building I presume that the alterations and new build will require planning permission especially to the materials used.

I assume the preparation of the application is in hand?

I believe that approximately £50k in fees has been spent/allocated for up to tender review so all this data ought to be available.

As the cost of these works are proposed to be covered by a loan paid off from the future rates over some 50 years it would seem that there should be no need to make hasty decisions without allowing full consultation with the community.

Therefore I propose that this is delayed until the current lockdown is over and a proper Parish Assembly can be convened to review the alternative detailed proposals and comment as originally agreed.

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