Council’s cost or investment?

Sandy’s town councillors are divided as to the wisdom of moving from Cambridge Road to the Old Chapel in Pleasant Place. A slim majority previously voted to buy the premises.

On a tie break vote at Monday’s meeting they agreed to the details of the purchase.

The cost of buying and running the new premises will equal £2.66 each year for the average Band D property.

But until the current offices are sold or let an average of an extra £2.48 will also have to be paid to maintain the Cambridge Road offices – a five per cent increase.

However, the council hopes to sell the Cambridge Road premises as soon as possible.

The Old Chapel will cost £310,000. The money will come from reserves and a £150,000 loan from the Public Works Loan Board.

The reserves will be replaced by funds from the sale of the old offices.

John Gurney and Peter Goodwin spoke of their concerns about the purchase, its necessity and the cost in the public forum.

Councillor Geoff White said: “I think members of the public should not be under the impression that buying a building is revenue expenditure; it’s not. It’s capital investment.

“In 20 years time I’d be very surprised if it’s worth less. It’s investment. Possibly as good if not better than our current investments at paltry levels of interest in the banks.”

But Councillor Michael Scott said: “Costs of living are running very high at the moment. The extra income people can expect is very low and people are struggling.”

Councillor Jafor Ali said: “I think with the Old Chapel we have done a very good deal.

“It’s not for today but maybe 10, 15, or 20 years time. It’s a very good investment and I think in 10 years time there will be no more property to buy in town.”

Councillor Nigel Aldis: “It’s an awful lot of money to spend at a time when we’ve got other priorities.”

Speaking after the meeting, Mayor Susan Sutton said: “The Old Chapel is a new building inside an old shell and has been renovated up to modern office standards.

“It will be a great asset for the town and this important historic building will now be in public hands.

“The opportunities to move into larger premises within the market area of the town are extremely limited. If we don’t take the chance now it will never come around again.”

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