Lib Dems call for urgent review of Hornsey Town Hall decision
Haringey Lib Dems have submitted a formal request for a review of Labour’s decision to push ahead with plans for the historic Hornsey Town Hall site to be turned into a hotel and homes.
The request follows the unanimous decision of the Labour Cabinet on Tuesday evening to agree to the proposals put forward by the Far East Company.
The Lib Dems have submitted a call-in request for the decision to be delayed for further scrutiny and review by the council’s watchdog scrutiny committee.
In the request, the Lib Dems call for one of the following options for the future of Hornsey Town Hall to be adopted, with the community option being examined first. All the options would ensure the public can access the green, square and hall.
- The local community or a community-led organisation, takes on the Town Hall. The council would sell the surplus land at the rear of the building for housing or other suitable development with the money contributing to the cost of the repairs to the Town Hall.
- The council uses funds from the capital budget to renovate the Town Hall. The council would sell the surplus land at the rear of the building for housing or other suitable development with the money contributing to the cost of the repairs to the Town Hall.
- The bidding process for Hornsey Town Hall reopens.
The opposition councillors are currently waiting to hear from the council if their request will be accepted. If the review goes ahead the Hornsey Town Hall plans will be looked at again by the Scrutiny Committee which has the power to refer the decision back to Cabinet to reconsider it, or submit it to Full Council for debate.
Cllr Gail Engert, Haringey Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition, comments:
“The Lib Dems believe that the proposal put forward at the Cabinet meeting is not the best option for the historic Town Hall. The community and local residents are right to oppose it.
“It is ridiculous that Labour are saying there is no money to renovate Hornsey Town Hall when Labour have allocated £33m for a new corporate HQ. Labour’s priorities are clear, they would rather spend millions to build plush new council offices than spend the money to renovate Hornsey Town Hall and keep the developers out.
"That is why the Lib Dems have called for this urgent review of the Labour Cabinet’s decision. There are other options for this wonderful listed building which should be preserved for future generations to enjoy with full public access to the Hall, Square and Green.”
-webcast of meeting Cabinet meeting here.
- Cabinet report on Hornsey Town Hall here, see item 15
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