2nd March 2010

DORCHESTER: Public to discuss new offices

Sue Farrant calls meeting over district council’s plans for new premises

by Paul Crompton

THE mayor of Dorchester is supporting a public backlash against the decision to spend millions of pounds of taxpayers money on new council offices in the town.

Mayor, Councillor Susie Hosford is just one of many who have been calling for a public consultation on the proposed £10.7 million redevelopment on Charles Street.

Despite continued assurances by West Dorset District Council that enough consultation has been carried out, hundreds of residents have voiced their displeasure at the perceived lack of transparency in the process.

The complaints have led Liberal Democrat’s West Dorset Parliamentary Candidate Dr Sue Farrant to call a public meeting later this month.

WDDC Leader Councillor Councillor Gould and the WDDC’s chief executive, David Clarke are due to be invited said Dr Farrant. However, at the time of going to press Mr Gould said he had not received an invitation.

Dr Farrant said: “I’ve had hundreds of people across west Dorset saying this is wrong, we are struggling to make ends meet and the council wants to spend huge amounts of money without consultation, and the majority of people are not convinced it’s the right thing to do.”

The sentiment was echoed by Councillor Hosford, who said she believed the town’s residents were very angry about the plans.

“There are two things here,” she said. “Firstly there is the issue of the new building being needed, and secondly, if accepted that the new building is needed, has there been enough information? If it’s a good idea and what the options are.

“The problem is the public need to be involved and from the town’s point of view the major concern is if the offices are built there’s no guarantee ensuring the rest of the development goes ahead.”

The council has been working on the Charles Street development for several years, and a decision was taken on the construction of new offices at the site in July 2009.

In response to complaints, Councillor Gould said: “In late January I received a small number of letters from local residents asking good questions about what is, after all, a high value and complex decision, with a number of linked positive spin-offs for the town.

“As a result the council recently held a press conference, again well covered by the press, to launch a video giving some basic facts about the scheme.”

The proposed construction would include internal fitting out and new IT for the building, potentially saving taxpayers up to £160,000 a year and possibly involve a new town library.

Funding for the new project could come from the sale of the Stratton House complex, around £3.5million, and £3million reserves set aside for works, requiring WDDC to find up to £4.2million.

District and Town Councillor Molly Rennie said she understood the position the council was in, with the old building costing lots of money to upkeep, but questioned the potential move of location.

“People cannot understand why the council is not moving onto a site with planning permission such as Brewery Square or Poundbury which has office accommodation going begging.

“People cannot understand the logic behind it and the council should have the courage to face the public and answer their questions.”

A video available at www.dorsetforyou.com/charlesstreet/video, giving some basic facts about the scheme.

The public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 24th at the United Church on Charles Street from 6-30pm to 8pm.