In response to Mr Timewell’s concerns (Mail, October 13).
The reason the council took the decision to spend money on addressing the immediate issues on the Bull & Monkie site was twofold.
Firstly, the public were increasingly frustrated at this prominent location, within sight of the parish church, becoming an ever increasing blot on the Spalding landscape.
Also, South Holland District Council building control had previously had to use its statutory powers to deal with the unsafe building, following a lack of any response from the registered owner.
Because of this, it was clear that it would be impossible to recover the costs through the courts. Any company that chooses to be registered offshore and therefore outside the jurisdiction of the English courts, benefits from the same immunity.
On the understanding that the normal legal action for the debt recovery would be fruitless, a charge was recorded with the Land Registry. This same action was taken regarding the most recent expenditure.
In order to recover all of these costs, the council will now be seeking the legal means required to force the sale of the site.
Any future purchaser will need to clear these charges, including all of the associated legal fees, before they can take control of the site, thereby reimbursing the taxpayers in full.
I made no reference to any financial savings in respect of changing the way we provide green recycling bags. The consumption of bags will be very similar, based on providing three rolls per household twice a year, as opposed to the current two. What will change is that every resident will now get an equal share of the bags we supply, without the need to seek out the extras.
The district council does not receive any revenue of any kind for its recycling. Lincolnshire County Council took control of our recycled waste contract last year and has also ceased paying the recycling credits that the council used to receive.
I’m afraid your Freedom of Information request is unlikely to reveal very much, if it is hard facts and figures you seek. I was careful in the use of my words, by stating that “there was some evidence”. I have already covered the actual details of this, in my letter of reply, printed here last week.
Coun Roger Gambba-Jones
Portfolio holder for environmental services
South Holland District Council
