Local libraries, halls and parks could be asset stripped from Angus common good funds under new proposals.
As part of a review of how the area’s common good funds are administered, Arbroath library and its valuable collections has emerged as a possible early target and a local independent councillor has vowed to do anything he can to stand in the way of a move he claims would be tantamount to “corporate theft”.
Bob Spink laid down the clear marker to Angus officials after highlighting his fears that the common good review could lead to many of the county’s facilities being pulled into the corporate pot.
He said such a move would rob burghs of their heritage and valuable assets gifted to towns across the district.
Not all of the eight Angus burghs have common good funds, and the use of money from them has led to controversy on occasion amidst claims that the “have-nots” are missing out.
In late 2009, plans for a review of common good funds were announced which the council said would give the authority the opportunity to clarify some of the more ambiguous areas of what can be a complex administration task.
Mr Spink said last night he believes the council’s intention is to transfer Arbroath Library to the authority’s general fund.
“If successful, this act would result in not only the corporate theft of an asset valued at £868,000 which has been in the ownership of the common good for at least 50 years – and most likely ever since it was gifted to the burgh of Arbroath but deprive the fund of the revenue from the library paid by the council amounting to £25,000 per annum,” said Mr Spink.
“In its simplest form this would mean that if a decision was taken to close the library and sell the asset, the Angus Council general fund would benefit to the tune of £868,000.Community”As it stands that sum would fall to the common good fund to be used elsewhere for the good of the Arbroath community.”
Mr Spink said: “I am expecting a report to come before the full meeting of the council next month suggesting that any property which was “acquired” by the council for a statutory purpose, in this case the Libraries Consolidation (Scotland) Act 1887, should be the property of the Angus Council general fund and not the common good fund as it has been for so long.
“The Arbroath library and picture gallery was gifted to the burgh of Arbroath in 1898 by David Corsar for the behoof of the community and I utterly refute the claim that it was “acquired” by the council.
“Additionally, a sum of £1000 was donated by Andrew Carnegie to the same end.
“I will vehemently oppose this recommendation and urge my Arbroath colleagues across party to support me.
“As for the other burghs with common good funds, I ask them to look over their shoulders. The focus on Arbroath is simply an alphabetic one and their turn will come.
“Let us nip this in the bud now.”
Mr Spink added, “Acquired by definition infers an action by the local authority to gain something, a positive action in other words.
“Since the building was gifted by a benefactor the action was by the donor, not the council, who as recipient did not perform any action to gain the asset other than accept it.
“Furthermore, the gift was to the people of Arbroath and never intended in my opinion to be subsumed into the wider community of Angus.”
He continued: “Anything which has been donated, gifted, or presented to any burgh should be contained within the common good of that burgh.
“Anything which has been acquired utilising taxpayers’ money should be contained within the general fund of that burgh.
“This could apply to any burgh retrospectively or for the future.
“Burghs fortunate enough to have common good funds should be aware that these funds are the property of the citizens of those burghs and through the revenue generated through leasing these assets to Angus Council can do much within the relevant area.
For example, in Arbroath that has included the Keptie Pond improvements, Webster Memorial Theatre and Christmas lights, which would not have been possible without the benefit of CG funds.
“I cannot say how strongly I feel that we should protect and value our common good inheritance,” added Mr Spink.
“To do otherwise betrays the good intentions of benefactors long gone and would be a gross disservice to the citizens of Arbroath.”