Demolition of the old library is due to start shortly after Burgess Hill Councillors pressed the District Council for action, after they previously left the job half finished. However why did they demolish this perfectly good building in the first place? This summary of last week’s Scrutiny Committee on the District Council, which was called after Liberal Democrats objected to the closure of Clair Hall in Haywards Heath, shows just how intolerant the Conservatives are of opposition. Of course Burgess Hill already knows what it is like to lose our main arts and performance venue without any provision of a replacement, given the Council not only closed the Martlets Hall, but hastily demolished it to prevent any further use. https://www.facebook.com/saveclairhall/videos/1294088457635484
Simon Hicks
Burgess Hill, Leylands Ward Liberal Democrats
Can I ask if there is any conflict of interest because of Mims Davies connection to New River? Her ex husband is the CFO pf New River and Mims Davies herself has shares in the company.
Also, are MSDC paying for the demolition of Martlets Hall and surrounding buildings? If so why are ‘we’ picking up the bill when it is not the tax payers who will enjoy the financial benefits?
Yes there would be a conflict of interest if Mims Davies was a local councillor involved in the decisions. However currently it is the Conservatives on Mid Sussex District Council delaying the demolition which is at taxpayers expense because of the opaque manner in which the deal with New River was made. The closure in the first place was an insult given the lack of any replacement venue, and now demotion promised in October has still not taken place. It will happen we have been led to believe shortly and we want to see plans for the site to be utilised at least temporarily, perhaps as an urban garden, as it is likely to be some time before any redevelopment starts. The Town Council is continuing to move forward by supporting new businesses such as Scrapless to locate to the empty shops and to look at financing an exciting new entertainment and arts venue in the Beehive.