Council to dispose of property assets to save money

Senior Kirklees councillors have approved plans to make further revenue budget savings.

The council says these plans could reduce its property running costs by around £240,000 per year, while continuing to protect its core estate.

Under the proposals, the DRAM Sport and Community Centre, in Huddersfield will be declared as “surplus to requirements.”

Kirklees Council says it will explore the option of passing the centre on to a community-based organisation via a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) process.

The council’s plans also address the future of the HUDAWI Centre, in Huddersfield, which has been primarily used as a venue to support council service needs with some additional bookings made by the wider community.

The council again says the property could be handed to another group via a Community Asset Transfer.

Another council owned site, 1 Beech Street, in Huddersfield, will be sold. The 0.5-acre site includes a two-storey former Methodist Church Sunday School building with a large single-storey sports hall extension.

The main building was closed in 2018 while the sports hall, which has remained open, is currently used by a local gymnastics club. The council says it has supported the club in identifying alternative premises to relocate.

Finally, the council intends to sell Red House, a Grade II* listed Georgian mansion in Gomersal which once housed a museum.

This was previously earmarked for a venue and holiday accommodation, but has now had the required funding allocation withdrawn following a recent review of the council’s capital programme.

Councillor Graham Turner, cabinet member for finance and regeneration, said: “The council is continuing to scrutinise all property across its estate to save the significant amounts of money required to enable us to produce a balanced budget in February.

“This has meant we are continually examining how we operate, and what alternatives are available to us.

“We understand the value that some of these buildings have within our communities, which is why we are committed to exploring the option of a Community Asset Transfer wherever possible and we will help and support any organisation that has a viable plan for an asset transfer.

“Continuing to reduce the number of buildings we operate from while creating a core of building assets means we have the space we need to deliver vital services and provide office accommodation for staff while saving money.”