THE COUNCIL SOLD IT, BUT AT A ‘KNOCKED-DOWN’ PRICE

On hearing the news that the derelict buildings that was once a thriving business had been ‘sold’ to New Charter for £84,000, I thought; ‘Oh, eh, somebody’s got a good deal!’

 

Then when I read that the new owners ‘New Charter’ had chosen to use ‘Tameside Council’ to carry out the demolition work” alarm bells started ringing and to which, Tameside councillors will hopefully throw on some light.

According to the council’s press release, the council explained that because of the previous owner’s failure to clear the Casablanca’s site, the council was forced to spend more than £70,000 on safety work. To recover that debt, it used the Law of Property Act 1925 to take ownership of the building last summer – the first-ever use of this legislation in the borough.

That was followed by a comment from Cllr John Taylor, who added, “I look forward to the new owners, New Charter, starting redevelopment very quickly." and concluded by saying, " I’m pleased that they have chosen to use Tameside Council, to carry out the demolition work.” 

The article goes on to say, that the demolition work will last up to 12 weeks, whilst New Charter consults with residents on its plans to build a mixed-use development, including homes.

However, New Charter’s Director of Development said, his team ‘were still in the process of drawing-up plans’ and added, “We do have some thoughts and we have had some initial sketches prepared!”

So, in a nutshell, the council has sold a derelict building to New Charter for a pittance, without having sight of what they will replace it with, but seeing as Cllr Taylor states that he is looking forward to New Charter starting redevelopment very quickly, surely that presupposes that ‘planning permission’ will be granted, on the nod!

Now bearing in mind Tameside council claim to have paid over £70,000 to make the burnt-out buildings safe and have ‘sold the said building for £84,000. It also implies that the council will only be in-pocket to the tune of £14,000.

However, when you read on and learn that the new owners ‘New Charter’ had chosen to use ‘Tameside Council’ to carry out the demolition work.” That implies that some sort of ‘tendering’ was involved and therefore demolition costs must be added to the overall ‘done deal’ or does it? 

Considering the fact that most conscientious companies require quotes from several different companies to enable them to compare and find the best and most affordable option, it would be in the public’s interest to know what the winning bid to demolish this site was, and how much will that add to offset the council’s expenditure or add to the council’s coffers?

After all, costs must be known, as the work has already commenced, and it has been stated that the work will take 12 weeks! - So, it's no small feat and therefore expensive!

I recommend you read the story from the owners point of view

Another small stumbling block that the council press release has omitted, is in respect of the ‘council owned’ strip of land (as mentioned in Irene Bradford’s book, STUCK IN REVERSE) which, it is understood was leased by Tameside council to the previous owners and was a necessary condition of granting the club’s licences as laid down by Tameside Planners, which enabled the fire exits from the former Casablanca’s Health Club and Wine Bar, to open on to.

Was that ‘Council owned’ land sold to New Charter as part of the deal too, and if it was, at what price?

Although I’m sure the demolition of this controversial blot on the Stalybridge landscape and the raising from the ashes of whatever has been planned to replace it will be extremely welcomed by all, it’s also vital in such matters, that the council conveys a complete version of events and not just a selected, one-sided snap-shot of what they want us to know.

In these days of political mistrust, stories like this with a chequered history; that are patronisingly presented and economical with the facts, only emphasises the feelings amongst voters that some councils have a perceived problem with crony capitalism. 

The unsavoury link between businesses and councillors, understandably raise fears that in certain cases, council decisions might inadvertently bypass due process. 

The problem here in Tameside, is that we have, for thirty odd years, felt like we have been living under an elected dictatorship. We are more like Vladivostok than Tameside because there has not been, and no sign of being, any counter balancing of power that is held by the Labour cabal or career councillors.