THE ROW over the claimed “corporate theft” of Arbroath library from the town’s common good is set to flare again.
Some 14 months after a proposal emerged to transfer the historic building to Angus Council’s general fund account, elected members will tonight consider a long-awaited report on town-wide assets which backs the move.
Angus officials say an audit of Arbroath properties has confirmed the view that some are held on the wrong account in the council balance sheet and, despite a call for firm evidence as part of a public consultation, nothing has emerged to support the view that the Hill Terrace building has been held on the common good since it was built in accordance with the wishes of benefactor David Corsar.
The prospect of transfer sparked a very public reaction, led by Arbroath independent councillor Bob Spink and supported by others, including Scotland’s former lord advocate, Lord Fraser, and the Dean of Arbroath Guildry, the town’s oldest secular society.
Ahead of this afternoon’s full council meeting in Forfar, Mr Spink said he remained strongly opposed to the transfer and concerned over the future ramifications for common good funds across Angus.
He said: “The public consultation gave 100% support for the status quo low in number of respondents perhaps but high in quality and passion.
“No evidence was submitted to suggest that the library should not form part of the common good. Countless people have contacted me directly and none have expressed anything other than support.”
Mr Spink added: “In spite of all this, the director’s report has paid no heed to either the results of the consultation or the publicly stated views of so many people that the library was a gift by a generous benefactor, Mr David Corsar, to the people of Arbroath and gone ahead with a recommendation to the council that the library be transferred to the council’s general fund.”
Mr Spink has now suggested a court order would be required to complete the transfer.
“At some time in the future, if it were decided to close the library and sell the property, the proceeds of the sale would go to Angus Council to be spent as they see fit.
“At the moment, if the status quo prevails, then any such sale would see the proceeds go to the common good fund, to be spent within the burgh of Arbroath and for the benefit of its citizens.”
He added: “There are many who would abolish common good funds for allsorts of reasons, and the motivation andthe purposefulness behind this action by Angus Council officers is frankly quite worrying.
“It makes one wonder where it will go next so other burghs with common good funds should beware what is at risk here is democracy itself.”
gbrown@dcthomson.co.uk