A report detailing the fate of Argyll and Bute’s property assets should have been up for full discussion, a councillor has said.
George Freeman expressed his frustration after a report revealed that plans had collapsed for 112 homes at Blairvadach House, a B-listed building which has stood empty since 2015.
A report on that and other property issues for the council was only for noting by its Helensburgh and Lomond area committee, meaning that no discussion of its contents could take place.
Although Cllr Freeman was advised that he was free to contact officers for any information he needed, it was stated that the item could be discussed more substantially at the committee’s next meeting in June.
Cllr Freeman told today’s meeting: “This report contains a lot of information. I don’t know who decided that we should only note it, but again we have had publicity relating to Blairvadach.
“I get very frustrated about the way the council is dealing with the disposal of properties. That goes way back to Cove Burgh Hall, and the time it took just to get a title deed.
“With reports like this, if we are not even able to discuss it, I would ask that a full report is brought for discussion to the next meeting of this committee.
“We can contact officers, but the area committee is supposed to be a public meeting, where we can discuss these things.
“I am sure the local press will be interested in these matters and if we are not going to discuss it then that is a concern.”
Four years ago an investigation by this website revealed that the council owned nearly 40 empty or disused buildings, valued in total at more than £3m, with Blairvadach the most expensive.
Subsequently there have been regular agenda reports on the issue and some buildings have been sold, but a report for last month’s budget meeting revealed that 22 sites or buildings were listed as ‘for disposal’ – three more than the previous year.
Committee chair Barbara Morgan said Cllr Freeman could get in touch with officials at any time.
Shona Barton, area committee manager, then said: “The report is for noting, but there is scope for this to be considered as a substantive item at the next area committee.”
And Cllr Gary Mulvaney added: “It has been the policy for a number of years for certain papers to be noted, and as the chair has made clear to Cllr Freeman, every member has the opportunity to speak to any officer and glean any information they require.
“The information is here in front of us and I am quite comfortable with it, so I suggest we note the report and move on.”
The plans for Blairvadach fell through in September when the council’s preferred bidder said that they would not continue their interest due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, the report also stated that the second preferred bidder indicated that they remained interested and that talks remained ongoing.
Updates were also given on other properties owned by the council in the report.
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