THE DECISION by Perth and Kinross Council to put an historic listed building up for sale has come under fire from a local councillor.
The fate of Kinross County Buildings was decided in private at a meeting of the council’s property sub-committee this week, when it was agreed to put them up for sale or lease on the open market.
The decision disappointed Councillor Willie Robertson, who said: “This is a sad outcome for Kinross’s most important civic building.
“Kinross County Buildings are Georgian, built in 1826, and are category B-listed.
“They have a fine sandstone frontage and provide an important backdrop to the town’s war memorial.
“I think that Perth and Kinross Council should uphold their responsibility for the Kinross County Buildings and should have tried to find a use for the building.
“It is the ideal location for a specialist council function, but there is no political will to make use of the building.”
Mr Robertson was also unhappy that consideration of putting the buildings on the market was taken in private.
Councillor Willie Wilson, a member of the sub-committee, had asked that the matter be discussed in public but this was not agreed to, a decision Mr Robertson cannot understand.
“There was no sensitive financial information within the report,” he said.
“There is great public interest in the future of the building and I think the discussions on its future should have been taken in a public forum”.
Mr Robertson was granted permission to address the committee and he made two requests: firstly, that the building should be marketed on a sale or lease option to make it more attractive to potential users and, secondly, that it be kept in good order.
The committee agreed to the lease option and the council’s property officer said that the building would be inspected on a monthly basis and be kept “wind and watertight”.
Mr Robertson said: “The Kinross County Buildings now face an uncertain future.
“I hope the addition of the lease option will encourage potential users to consider the building and keep it in public ownership.”
Kinross Community Council’s plan to use the building for a mixed community and business venture hit a stumbling block when the potential liabilities became clear.
Chairman David West said he hoped that a new use would be quickly identified.
rburdge@thecourier.co.uk