Council apology after it blocked arts centre bid
Campaign to save land where Beatles played hit brick wall
BIRMINGHAM City Council has been criticised for an unreasonable delay of two years in deciding whether the site of a former ballroom that hosted the Beatles should be declared an “asset of community value”.
The council should have decided the application for the Kings Heath land where the Ritz Ballroom stood within two months if it had followed procedure.
The authority has now apologised for dragging its heels, a report by the Local Government Ombudsman states.
The 1960s venue played host to legends such as the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Kinks, Dusty Springfield and Jerry Lee Lewis.
It later became a Cash Converters store but was destroyed by fire in 2013.
The council has now agreed to pay music historian Bob Prew, who lodged the application, £250 for the “avoidable time, trouble and frustration” caused by the delay.
Mr Prew and others had hoped to save the land for an arts centre, cinema and music hall.
But the council eventually refused Mr Prew’s bid – and he complained to the Ombudsman about his treatment.
The Ombudsman ruled: “The delays did cause Mr Prew injustice, avoidable time and trouble chasing the council about progress on the application. The council added to this injustice with its later failure to deal with the complaint.
“The council also wrongly raised Mr Prew’s expectations. This is because it told him of officers’ support to listing the site, but then failed to keep in touch or tell him officers changed that view. This will have caused Mr Prew further distress and frustration.”
Mr Prew said: “I think I’ve been treated appallingly by the council. The saga shows how dysfunctional it has become. It almost shows that whoever you vote for, the council always get in.”
Mr Prew, along with fellow historian Ken Whittaker launched the Kings Heath Walk of Fame, a corridor of plaques to stars born in the district.
He had made an “asset of community value” application on behalf of a committee set up to build the arts centre.
The council’s late decision now makes that project unlikely.
“We wanted it listed to bring the current landowner to the negotiating table,” said Mr Prew. The local councillors supported what we were trying to do. Initially, council officers supported our nomination. But something happened and that support ceased.”
Eventually, the application was turned down on the grounds that the site had not “in recent past” been of benefit to the community.
In his report, the Ombudsman said: “The council has now decided the application and apologised for its delays and for overlooking his complaint.
“On balance, I do not find the council’s decision and apology adequately addresses the injustice it caused Mr Prew.”
Mr Prew added: “It’s a rather hollow victory.
“The prospect of a new Ritz Arts Centre rising like a phoenix from the ashes of the old building is looking increasingly unlikely.”
Birmingham City Council declined to comment on the Ombudsman’s report.
The prospect of a new Ritz Arts Centre is looking increasingly unlikely Bob Prew, right