Leader refuses request to ring-fence land sale cash

THE council leader has refused to commit to ring-fencing the proceeds of the sale of councilowned land in Haslingden for the exclusive benefit of that town’s residents.

Greenfield ward councillor Granville Morris asked for the pledge at the full council meeting in relation to the disposal of land off Park Avenue.

Coun Morris said: “As the leader will be aware there’s a parcel of council-owned land up for sale in Greenfield ward with a seven-figure valuation. Can she commit that a large proportion - or preferably all - will be spent within Haslingden, together with a detailed plan showing residents how and where the proceeds will be used?”

He added: “Throughout the Valley there’s been instances where pieces of land have been sold and the sale value has been ring fenced to support that particular part of the Valley.

“This has happened on more than one occasion. I cannot understand the reason why it can happen in some parts of the borough, but it cannot happen in Haslingden.”

In response council leader Alyson Barnes said the land sale took into account their “financial position”, and would support the council’s capital programme, adding as it was their land it would allow them to ask “higher standards” of developers than through the general planning process. She added she could only recall one previous occasion when proceeds had been ring-fenced as suggested - and that was a distinct instance in Bacup when they needed to commit to match funding to open up a funding stream.

Coun Barnes added: “The fact that the sale of the land will support the council’s capital programme suggests to me it will benefit Haslingden as well as the rest of the borough.”