BID TO TRUMP TESCO

A huge row broke out earlier this month when it was discovered the county council had agreed to sell the property to Tesco.

The town council had been trying to secure the buildings for community use.

At last night's (Tuesday) meeting, councillors, residents and community groups were unanimous in their decision to submit a bid to East Sussex County Council to buy the centre

Following representations from the Town Council, the County Council have agreed to allow the Town Council to put in a rival bid on behalf of the community, but have only allowed them four weeks to organise funding and make their bid.

Speaker after speaker expressed their anger and frustration at the way that East Sussex County Council had handled the sale of the building commenting that the people making the decisions were far removed from understanding the hopes and aspirations of the Uckfield community.

The County Council's decision making process was called into question a number of times with claims that one man making the decision without any prior consultation was far from transparent or democratic.

In a report to the Town Council details of a possible sale price of between 300,000 and 400,000 was given. The implications that borrowing these sums would have on resident's council tax were also included, but despite this, there was still overwhelming support for the purchase.

The Town Council had undertaken a survey of local groups and organisations to see whether there was a need for the building and in a short space of time, eighteen groups had come forward wanting accommodation and pledging their commitment to using the building.

Leaders of various community groups including the Uckfield Festival, The Young Ones and Uckfield FM also expressed their support and outlined their need for a community building in the centre of Town.

At the end of the meeting many of those attending volunteered to help and Town Councillors asked that wherever possible residents, community groups and organisations should write to the County Council in support of the Town Council's bid to buy the building for the community and encourage others to take up the cause.