Market Deeping Town Hall in need of £50k refurb sold for £1

South Kesteven District Council leaders will “gift” Market Deeping Town Hall to the town’s council for £1 in a bid to save on an estimated £50,000 repair bill.

The authority’s cabinet last night agreed to the move, which will see the lower-tier authority take ownership of the building it has occupied since 1977.

In a report to SKDC leaders, officers said the building had not been maintained over the past 10 years, adding: “The premises requires refurbishment and maintenance works.

“The ongoing maintenance liability will be substantial and costly to SKDC.

“The roof is in a poor state of repair, and although the cost of the works has not been formally documented, the estimated refurbishment and repair cost in the region of £50,000.”

They said SKDC have previously declared the building a “surplus asset” and “continue to have no use” for it.

SKDC’s acting leader Kelham Cooke said: “It was really important to me that the local members in that area wanted that building.

“Under the 1974 LGA a lot of assets were brought to us whereas actually they’ve got a town council, Stamford look after their building and Market Deeping wanted to look after theirs.

“We’re never going to do anything with it so it’s only right we give it back to the local community.”

The move will make the town council liable for the repair and maintenance costs, however SKDC’s sale will include a “buy back” clause, enabling to to repurchase the building at the £1 cost at a later date if it wants to.

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