We need to save money, not waste it

Very recently, I was informed that it is costing Warwickshire County Council over £33,000 pa in business rates and the building is also in need of extensive repair. In the light of this, it would be an inappropriate use of taxpayers’ money for the occupants to remain. Allowing STOP HS2 to remain would also encourage other groups in the county to ask for similar treatment. This is why STOP HS2 has been asked to move.

At the heart of this debate is a question as to whether the public sector can meet the aspirations of local communities whilst still achieving its savings targets.

As part of the Conservative Administration running the county council, we are having to find £70 million savings required of us as part of the Coalition Government’s deficit reduction plan. A balancing act of protecting essential services, (like adult social care and children’s services) whilst keeping council tax as low as possible. This is requiring tough financial discipline and very difficult choices.

It’s worth reminding people that this site was bought by WCC specifically to relocate Buildbase to help with the building of a railway station in Kenilworth in the best interests of the community. If this plan A use of the site proves not to be possible, plan B is to build houses for which the site has planning permission. In both scenarios the offices will be demolished.

Let us be clear, the building was bought to knock down. That was always going to be the case. What’s more, continued occupancy would also require prohibitively expensive health and safety repairs. Even if this were to happen, when plan A or B come to fruition we would be knocking it down. And then we would have spent extra money on it. Not a good use of public money. We need to save money, not waste it! - Cllr Alan Cockburn, (Con Kenilworth St Johns,), WCC Cabinet Member for Sustainable Communities