Maltings On Kibes Lane

[Ian]

Having read the assessment a couple of things come to mind:

1) Even though the assessment says the Maltings meets all the criteria, the conclusion says it doesn't - seems like major flaw in the argument to me.
2) The assessment does state that further applications can be made for the individual parts, so one can be made for Waggers and another for the Arts Centre.

So, the door is not quite shut yet, but is rapidly closing....

[JudieT]

Sorry and sadddened to see yet another example of EHDC not working for the local communities they are supposed to serve. Isn't 86% of something worth a community project - what could you do with the 13% remaining anyway and how come a storage facility for the council isn't for the benefit of the community anyway?

[IGS]

Perhaps we should set up a meeting with the Councils Asset Manager and ask her to explain how she came to her conclusion and would it have been any different if just Wagger's and the Arts Centre were under consideration. If you read in the conclusion 5.1 probably not. (What happened to 5.2?). I believe she had already come to a decision and has just been trying to find the correct wording.

Perhaps we should also inform her that George Orwell's 1984 was a warning, not a text book, on obfuscation (among other things).

[Damo5]

Ware Town Council is having a meeting these evening (7.30) in The Priory to discuss their reaction to East Herts rejection of the Town Councils application for the Southern Maltings to be listed as a Community Asset,
The meeting is open to the public if anyone has the time to get down to The Priory.

[IGS]

Ware Town Council is having a meeting these evening (7.30) in The Priory to discuss their reaction to East Herts rejection of the Town Councils application for the Southern Maltings to be listed as a Community Asset,
The meeting is open to the public if anyone has the time to get down to The Priory.

What was the outcome from town council?

[Damo5]

The Town Councillors attending were exasperated and confused by the decision of East Herts District Council to reject the Community Asset Registration request.
In particular Councillor Pipe questioned if they had applied the law correctly and observed that the example they quoted; were a percentage of the land in question was not in "community use", the final outcome was was the whole site was listed as a community asset.

The Town Council determined to make representations to the District Council based on the based that the outcome is incorrect, while reserving the possibility of making a second application for the parts of the building identified as community use.

[JudieT]

I was sorry I couldn't make the meeting, but pleased to hear of the outcome - well done.

[The Masked Woler]

The Town Council determined to make representations to the District Council based on the based that the outcome is incorrect, while reserving the possibility of making a second application for the parts of the building identified as community use.

and if they succeed is there the money to buy/run it?

[Damo5]

The Town Council determined to make representations to the District Council based on the based that the outcome is incorrect, while reserving the possibility of making a second application for the parts of the building identified as community use.

and if they succeed is there the money to buy/run it?

Community Asset listing would only be the start of a process that would require discussion with EHDC, along with development of a business case that would make the building self funding as a community asset.

The Southern Maltings Community Group would welcome input from individuals, groups or local business that could support the development of a sustainable business plan that would secure the long term future of the building as a useful community base.

[Steve]

Maybe it would be an idea to speak to Ware Arts Centre, who originally leased the whole building, about the viability of the southern malting. They probably have more experience than most.