Historic first for County scrutiny ends in disappointment
January 30, 2012 10:19 PM
Lib Dem Allan Witherick has been trying to ensure The Pioneer and other community groups using the Ariston Site are protected as the County Council plans to sell off the land for development
The first ever review of a County Council Cabinet decision, which had been demanded by the Liberal Democrats, ended in disappointment as the Conservative majority refused to refer the issue back to Cabinet for re-consideration. The one-day meeting highlighted the lack of information which had been given to local groups throughout the process. and raised concerns about the level of uncertainty faced by the groups, even as the County Council continues its plan to sell off the land at the Ariston Works site on Harpenden Rd, St Albans.
The Overview & Scrutiny Committee, which held the full-day review meeting on Wednesday 25th January, heard evidence from a number of bodies. This included a number of voluntary groups which use the Ariston site, who unanimously stated that they felt that the Conservative administration at County Hall had failed to take into account the needs of the local community and the wider users of the facilities.
The Labour party failed to send anyone to the meeting, despite having a seat on the committee.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Allan Witherick, who represents St Albans North at the County Council and is also a District Council Councillor for Batchwood, stated after the meeting:
"Whilst we received reassurances in the course of the meeting that some of the facilities we thought were at risk - such as live music - might be protected and actually end up being included in the services provided by the County Council, I was very disappointed to hear that some of the potential plans don't include the Skate Park which forms an important part of The Pioneer, for example.
"Representatives of the County Council's Estates Department admitted at the meeting that it was quite possible that - if the Local Planning Authority ends up being too ambitious with its plans to support the community groups - the developer chosen by the County Council could push their plans through by going to appeal. It sounds amazing, but that's what we were told when we asked the direct question.
"This is after the Conservatives assured us this was the right way forward, but apparently their definition of 'right way' is to get the most money they can for the site, regardless of the damage it might inflict locally."
The review was a result of a demand by Councillor Witherick to look again at the decision to sell the Ariston Site for redevelopment (see Item 10 on the linked documents for the original decision).
Allan added: "With around 16,500 mat hours from the St Albans Judo Club and 11,500 skate park user sessions at The Pioneer last year, these organisations offer essential facilities for young people in Hertfordshire, which are potentially at risk because of the County administration's money-making agenda.
"One of the positive outcomes of this process is that County councillors will now be monitoring the land sale far more closely. This will include trying to ensure that these community groups have better support, especially when it comes to the difficult transitional arrangements. Still, I will be anxious to see the cabinet members' response to the review committee's recommendations, as I am sure will all those involved with the Judo Club and The Pioneer."
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