Sandy Town Council’s Old Chapel U-turn

Sandy Town councillors voted for a U-turn on their previous decision to purchase the Old Chapel in Sandy when they reopened the discussion at their meeting on Monday evening (December 17).

The move did not attract much public attention when the decision was made in August but fierce public opposition has gathered momentum in the last month.

Town clerk, Delia Shephard, said: “There were several factors contributing to the decision. With the planning permission, although it was granted it had restrictions which would limit the council’s ability to use the building in the way originally intended with weekend and evening use.

“We’ve also had quite recent news about the change in the way that local council tax benefit is to be applied in Sandy that will make quite an impact on the precept.

“And there was public opinion against it and I think that impacted councillors.”

The council has a general rule that decisions cannot be revisited within six months and this was cited when members of the public objected to the decision last month.

But councillors decided that the new information about the planning permission and the reduction of income from taxation meant that it would be wise to discuss the issue again.

Only three councillors voted in favour of purchasing in Old Chapel on Monday.

Planning restrictions meant that the Old Chapel offices would not have been usable after 7pm on Saturdays or at all on Sundays except with prior written permission from Central Beds Council.

This would have been restrictive for public events. For example, the current Cambridge Road offices were used all day on a Sunday by organisers of the Christmas Cracker lights switch-on.

The changes to taxation would have stopped the town council receiving compensation for residents who do not have to pay council tax – currently this figure stands at around £42,000. A government grant would counteract this next year but not in future years.

Sandy Town Council will not be looking for other new premises at the present time.

Delia said: “I think councillors are going to look at whether they can do anything to make this building more fit for purpose in the sense that the office accommodation needs amendment perhaps.

“I think they would still like to incorporate the tourist information centre with the office and there are issues with how suitable the chamber is when the public come to meetings.

“I don’t think they will be actively seeking premises.”