CNJ COMMENT - Ditch the new Town Hall

Published: 14 April, 2011

MUNICIPAL authorities should always abide by the golden rule – do not, under any circumstances, become property developers. That should be left to the men who know how to squeeze every ounce of cash from every acre.    

Wherever Town Halls have ventured forth, they have always come a cropper.

The only exception locally occurred when the then councillor John Mills bought up hundreds of properties in the 1970s, but then he is a successful businessman and knew what he was doing.

It seems an act of madness to sell off the Crowndale Centre and  the Town Hall extension to build new offices on the King’s Cross site.

 No wonder a growing number of Labour councillors have, belatedly, become rebellious and want to abandon the whole idea.

It was rushed into and on reflection, more and more councillors fear it will end in tears. 

It is likely to cause  a colossal loss of money and  antagonise residents who will  resent a swanky new office in King’s Cross.

Councillors should stick to what they know best, running local services, not what is in effect, hot property speculation.