Central government plans to devolve more power from councils by encouraging them to sell under-used assets at a reduced rate could offer hope to Bromyard.
At present the Town Council’s acquisition of the council office complex from Herefordshire Council is set to cost tax payers £785,000 meaning a 63 per cent hike in council tax.
But funding available from the Central Community Assets Fund through the Big Lottery Fund could assist in cutting the cost.
The proposals have also nominated the Grange Court at Leominster, just over ten miles away, as one of 18 pilots launched across the country to help local residents take over council buildings, with practical help to develop proposals to do so.
The Leominster Area Regeneration Company (LARC) was offered provisional funding of £1 million from the Big Lottery Fund in May to enable them to refurbish the building at a cost of just £1.
Bromyard Town Council have plans to rent out some of the private office space within their newly-purchased complex to offset some of the cost but grant money from central government, which is set to plough cash into the Grange at Leominster, could mean a sizeable reduction in the total figure.
“The Town Council is going to apply for various grants,” said town clerk Mike Cresswell. “The sort of money we’re looking at is to do things with the complex to make it more useful to the people of Bromyard,” he added.
However, the sum of money proposed for Leominster’s Grange Court, which is in need of an extensive refurbishment, is unlikely to be matched in Bromyard.
“I don’t think we could qualify for that sort of money bearing in mind they are two totally different buildings,” said Mr Cresswell.
“A lot of that money will be spent on putting the Grange back together. I think in the case with Bromyard it’s not such a historic building,” he added.
The Central Government proposals, which were outlined last week by Whitehall, suggest a new independent hub of advice for local people and local authorities.
One of the first tasks of the ‘asset transfer unit’ will be to extend this programme of pilots across the country to boost the number of asset transfers.
Speaking last week, communities secretary, Hazel Blears said: “Residents are happier with their local area when they are given more say and more control over local decisions. I want everyone to have the confidence and enthusiasm to make a difference in their community – and if they see a disused building in their neighbourhood, to make a case for the community to take it over and put it to better use.”
