Barnet's libraries could be sold off and leased back to plug hole in council accounts (From This Is Local London)

Barnet's libraries could be sold off and leased back to plug hole in council accounts

3:20pm Tuesday 31st August 2010 in

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LIBRARIES and allotments could be part of a fire-sale as Barnet Council looks to plug a gaping hole in its accounts as funding from central government is cut over the next three years.

A draft estates strategy, due to be considered by a council committee tomorrow, highlights the 14 libraries and 48 allotments in the borough as potential revenue raisers.

In the document it asks whether the council needs to own such buildings, or whether they could be sold off to a third party and leased back for use by the public.

The report says it aims to deliver “a council estate which enables effective and efficient delivery of the core council services and priorities”.

Libraries are mentioned as “Priority two” disposals, with museums mentioned under priority one sales which have few complications.

There is even mention of selling off recently refurbished Hendon Town Hall and leasing other premises to hold council meetings in.

One key criteria highlighted in the report is state of the buildings or land, which should be sold “if it becomes economically unviable to continue to repair and maintain” them.

It also points out the “best quality” housing owned Barnet has been sold off leaving the “more challenging” sites with planning and legal issues attached to them, making them more difficult to sell.

However, the report does acknowledge the controversial nature of selling off council holdings: “The provision of allotments is now a lifestyle choice and much valued by people wanting to follow a healthy lifestyle.

“The same could be said for libraries and sports clubs etc. Navigating through these disposals would require significant resources and could face public opprobrium.”

The committee will make comments on the draft plans at a meeting tomorrow night at Hendon Town Hall, with a finalised report to be submitted to councillors later in the year with concrete proposals.