Council asset sell-off could bridge budget gap

A report to Kirkless Council’s cabinet meeting next Tuesday said the authority owns a portfolio of land and property worth more than £1 billion, and recommends disposing of a number of “surplus assets” worth around £12m.

Although the list of assets that could be sold has not been made public, the report said the Council owned a number of properties such as farms, gardens, shops and industrial premises that it no longer had the resources to manage.

Some, it said, were costing the council more to administer than it received through business rates or rents.

The list includes council buildings and land which are no longer needed due to reduced staffing levels, and some civic buildings which could be transferred to community organisations.

Coun Graham Turner said: “The sensitive disposal of these assets could also allow us to unlock community enterprise and stimulate the local economy by encouraging local business to invest in Kirklees.”

It would take “several years” to complete the sell-off, Coun Turner said.

Money raised would be used to offset “savage budget cuts” imposed by central government.

“Whilst the sales will not prevent the huge cuts to services we are having to make, they will in some small way help us to protect vital public services and jobs. By using best practice and public auctions we will maximise the value of these assets for the benefit of all the residents of Kirklees,” he added.

Christopher Marsden, chairman of Huddersfield Civic Society said he would be “following developments closely.”

Change of ownership for some publicly-owned buildings, could be a welcome an opportunity for redevelopment, he added.