Saxonvale sale decision faces scrutiny following challenge by Frome councillors
Four Frome councillors have secured a scrutiny hearing into Somerset Council's decision to sell the Saxonvale regeneration site to Newcore Capital. The meeting takes place tomorrow, Wednesday 14 October, at 10am, and members of the public can follow proceedings online.
The latest development follows Somerset Council's decision on 23 September to select Newcore Capital as its preferred bidder for the 12-acre Saxonvale site in the heart of Frome.
Councillors Dominic Ellison, Martin Dimery, Shane Collins and Adam Boyden have formally challenged the decision through the Council's call-in procedure, which allows significant Executive decisions to be examined before they are implemented.
What are the councillors questioning?
The councillors are seeking clarification on several aspects of the decision-making process, including:
The potential repayment of £3.6 million in Homes England funding, and whether the financial implications were properly considered.
Whether the Council had sufficient legal and financial advice when assessing the sale.
How competing bids were evaluated, including their financial terms and prospects for delivering regeneration.
Whether appropriate governance arrangements and conflict-of-interest safeguards were in place regarding connections raised between Newcore Capital and the Council's professional adviser, CBRE.
The councillors have stressed that they are not alleging wrongdoing, but want reassurance that the decision-making process was robust and transparent.
Why does it matter?
Saxonvale has long been one of Frome's most significant and debated regeneration projects, with its future attracting considerable public interest.
Cllr Dominic Ellison said:
"Saxonvale is an exceptionally important site for Frome, and it is essential that people can have confidence in the way such a significant decision has been made."
The Scrutiny Committee cannot overturn the sale decision itself, but it can recommend that Somerset Council's Executive reconsider the matter if it identifies concerns about the information or advice underpinning the decision.
How to follow the meeting
The Scrutiny Committee meets on Wednesday 14 October at 10am. The meeting is open to the public, both in person and online.
The agenda, supporting documents and details of how to watch are available on the Somerset Council website.
Fabulous Frome will continue to follow developments surrounding the future of Saxonvale.
Image: Cllr Dominic Ellison at Saxonvale, Frome. Photograph supplied by Cllr Shane Collins.
Written by Becky Percival
Writer, editor and publisher
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