All, I thought I should update you following the February 28th CDC meeting. As you will know, Diana Ray’s motion for time to organise a rescue bid failed – 17 – 22. But not a bad result in the circumstances! I also put forward a motion.
The text of my motion was as follows; “This council recognises that the Northleach Prison site and the Lloyd Baker collection (including other rural heritage items on site) are important aspects of our local and national heritage and that, in considering the bids received for purchase of the site, it must;
(i) take account of and give due weight to the public wish to preserve that heritage and ensure continued public access to the Prison site and to the Lloyd Baker collection in addition to considering the cash value of any bid and
(ii) seek to minimise any adverse economic impact on the local economy.” It was proposed by the Portfolio holder, Cllr Dare, that my motion would be supported subject to amendment.
The amended form of motion (after further amendment on the issue of public access which at first was wholly excluded from Cllr Dare’s proposal) was as follows;
Para 1 – no change then –
(i) take account of and give due weight to the public wish to preserve the heritage of the Northleach Prison site and the Lloyd Baker collection, whilst considering the cash value of bids received,
(ii) seek to minimise any adverse economic impact on the local community
(iii) acknowledge the public wish to see continued public access to the prison site and to the Lloyd Baker collection.That motion was passed 33 – 2. At the same time, I was invited to join the assessment panel. I was also told by the Corporate Services director, Frank Wilson, that he would seek to develop a set of criteria against which to judge the bids in the light of the requirements of the motion to consider factors other than price.So, at the very least, there is a strong moral backdrop against which to asses the bids which will not be assessed on price alone. One can be cynical and say this is no more than a device to secure the same end and sell to the highest commercial bidder. However, I shall at least be in the room and part of the discussion and will do my best to secure the best outcome for all.
Chris Hancock
Cotswold District Councillor
Northleach with Eastington Town Council