West Briton (Truro and Mid Cornwall)
Hard-up authority agrees to sell off some 2,000 assets
CORNWALL Council’s cabinet has been asked if it is “playing politics with Cornwall’s family silver” after it agreed to get rid of 2,000 of its assets – including beaches, parks, playing fields, green spaces, chapels and car parks.
Cabinet members were asked to consider a late, urgent addition to their agenda at their meeting last Wednesday to hand over, or sell, a large number of environmental, heritage and other land-based assets to other parties the council deemed more suitable to manage them. Bodies with which the council is in discussion include town and parish councils, the National Trust, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust and the Cornwall Heritage Trust.
Members were told the move could save the cash-strapped unitary authority £2 million over the next year.
The Conservative cabinet agreed to allow the strategic director for sustainable growth and development to transfer assets to the most appropriate recipient. A report to members stated it “does not mean that we will always be the best placed to control and manage these assets and, in many cases, there are more effective stewards”.
The initial sites identified for possible devolution include those which suffer antisocial behavioural issues due to a rural location, are deteriorating due to lack of investment and experience seasonal overnight camping and other antisocial issues.
Councillors were asked to make the decision urgently so work could begin on devolving the assets this summer, to make savings or generate additional income of £2m in 2024-25.
Labour councillor Jayne Kirkham wasn’t happy with the move, saying: “Am I the only person that’s worried that we’re making an urgent decision to try and get money from basically getting rid of, or possibly selling, 2,000 of our most precious assets, including our beaches? It really worries me.
“If we’re trying to make the money this year or next year, how on earth can we do the correct due diligence to make sure that potentially hundreds of these things go to the right homes?
“We’re delegating authority to do this to just one officer, with some engagement, but just one officer can make all these decisions about all these precious places. It seems like a desperate attempt to claw in money, and a huge risk to some of our most precious places in Cornwall.”
The council’s deputy leader and its head of resources Cllr David Harris responded: “There is no intention to just willy-nilly get rid of 2,000 key assets. It would take our legal team 4,000 years to even do that.
“I think we’ve built in the correct checks and balances, including due diligence on the proposed recipient.
“We will comply with the policies and procedures within the council’s codes of practice for land and property transactions. They’re not something you can run rings around.”