Council defends Old Chapel decision

Sandy Town Council has defended its decision to purchase and move in to The Old Chapel in Pleasant Place, Sandy.

It issued a statement after Richard Frood of the town’s Filand Court sent an open letter to various organisations, including the Biggleswade Chronicle, slamming the council’s decision.

The letter, which was published in this paper last week, said: “How does Sandy Town Council justify spending more unnecessary public money on an egotistical venture, which as far as I can see is unjustified?”

Richard questioned the need for more office space, the availability of parking, the amount of public consultation and the transparency of information about the value of the current offices in Cambridge Road.

But Sandy Town Council said: “The Old Chapel will allow better access for the community to engage with the council as well as allowing all staff to be able to work together in a single space promoting efficient and flexible deployment of staff and greater cohesion in the organisation.

“There is more appropriate space for members and volunteers to work in the building and for future growth when needed as well as a more suitable space for community meetings.

“The Old Chapel provides a better location for the tourist information centre.”

All but one councillor voted to buy The Old Chapel on Tuesday, July 31. The initial offer was not accepted so a clear majority voted to increase the offer on Monday, August 13.

The mayor, Susan Sutton, had to use her casting vote on two later occassions; when the nature of the planning application to be submitted to Central Beds Council was discussed in September and for the adoption of a report in November.

The value of the Cambridge Road offices – £200,000 – and of The Old Chapel – £300,000 to £325,000 – has been in the public domain since November. The council will pay £310,000; more than half of this will come from reserves and the remainder from a low interest loan from the Public Works Loan Board.

The decision to buy the building was announced in August and between then and November the town council received messages of support and only one objection.

The council added: “There is limited parking at the Old Chapel and there is no parking at 10 Cambridge Road but there are parking spaces on the market square and in the town centre car park, which serve both buildings.”