27 Princes street update

The disgrace of inaction by councillors and council over a 12 year period was reported on here on May 11th

This issue has now been to the cabinet meeting on May 27th

The next door residents still haven't been told the outcome.

As far as I can tell Jamie Samson their Conservative SLDC Cllr is not keeping them informed and doing very little to help.

I have just phoned SLDC and talked to Mr Tummie who is the officer dealing with this case and he has guided me through to the report that is included in the document on the internet page below

See Agenda and report

Here it says on page 21:
RESOLVED – That
(1) the strategy as detailed in the report be approved;
(2) Officers be authorised to enter into negotiations with the current
owner to voluntarily acquire the property with a view to selling on to a
Registered Social Landlord;
(3) a report be provided to Cabinet on 9 September 2009, regarding the
details of negotiations and approval for further actions be sought,
should negotiations prove unsuccessful; and
(4) Council be recommended that consideration be made of allocation in
the Capital Programme (Single Housing Capital Pot) to fund the
purchase, if it proves feasible.
Reasons for Decision
To return the property into satisfactory housing accommodation.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected
Alternative options detailed in the report.


What I understand this to mean is that no final decision has been made.

The SLDC have come to their own valuation of no 27 . They are now going to negotiate with the owner to voluntarily sell his property to the council.

They would then buy it if it is the same at or less than their evaluation.

However he doesn't have to do this in which case it would go back to cabinet on the 9 September when they would again decide what to do!

The residents will need to put further pressure on the SLDC at this time if the negitations have failed.

What next?

I thought I could start by leafleting this area to see what interest there was for people getting together.

It consists of three separate areas :

• The town shops, with flats and houses hidden in amongst them.
• The ABC area - Ainslie, Burlington, Casson/Clarence streets with Ford Park nearby for meetings both in the building and the grounds .
• The Neville/Lightburn street/road with The Methodist Hall for under cover and Lightburn Park for open air gatherings

The Town Councillors are:

• Cllr Col
• Judy Picthal
• Helen Irving

SLDC Councillor:

• Jamie Samson
  

Some interesting activities:

• The mix of trade and residents especially at present - the impact of The Roxy.
• What's happening to the near derelict 27 Princes Street which has for so long plagued nearby residents.
• The use of the open spaces of Lightburn, Ford Parks, Rose Garden, County Square and Market place.
• Crowded Parking in the streets while Stockbridge Lane Car Park stands empty.
  
• The state and look of the roads and ginnels - the cobbled Market Street, Upper Brook Street and Weint with it's new proposed uplift
  
• The use of the meeting places of Methodist Hall and Ford Park House
• The use of the pubs and cafe´s
• Some green policies in our shops and the attitude to Tesco
  

I wondered about a meeting at the Methodist Hall to kick off at 7.30 one weekday evening!

Should anyone be interested in setting up such a meeting either in the writing of the leaflet or its distribution, their participation would be welcome.

Any costs would I anticipate be covered by those attending the meeting and I'm happy to "carry the can" if required. I think this kind of thing is fun and is a very cheap form of pastime!