BROMSGROVE District Council has rubbished claims it ‘failed to secure the freehold or any legal title’ to its Parkside building despite spending £3.5million of taxpayers’ money to renovate the property.
Coun Charles Hotham claimed to the Standard Parkside was under the ownership of Worcestershire County Council and it had been agreed in 2013 the building would be transferred to Bromsgrove District Council after the completion of renovation works.
He said despite the district council moving into the building five months ago, the transfer had still not taken place.
“How can BDC spend £3.5million of taxpayers’ money on renovating a building which is not in its name?”
Coun Hotham said he was also concerned about a pre-emption agreement in favour of Parkside’s original owners which stated the Church Commission could buy the property back at the price they sold it at, which was £2,700.
But a BDC spokesperson rubbished Coun Hotham’s claims and said while the transfer of the title had not yet been signed, everything else was ‘watertight.’
“As part of a local government framework, we have a public sector agreement and member committee approval.
“We’re not a private organisation and not in competition with each other so there’s no danger or risk.
“The development agreement, which states a transfer will be made in due course, is the sealer.
“In the meantime, the land registry process is underway.”
A spokesperson at Worcestershire County Council (WCC) said: “There is no right of pre-emption in favour of any third party.
“The agreement between the two councils is to transfer ownership to both county and district councils in equal shares once the project is completed.
“Being part of a larger, county council owned site, has meant this has been a more complicated and therefore a lengthier process.
“However progress is being made and we are much nearer finalising the details on behalf of the two councils.”
