Burnham-On-Sea’s former adult learning centre should become the new home for Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, a councillor has proposed this week.
Somerset Skills and Learning moved out of the Princess Street building when Burnham-On-Sea’s adult learning centre closed in December 2017 after its funding was cut by the government.
Somerset County Council, which owns the property, confirmed to Burnham-On-Sea.com this week: “The lease has ended, and we will be considering alternative uses for the premises.”
Cllr Phil Harvey, Lib Dem leader on Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, right, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “When Somerset Skills and Learning gave notice that they were giving up the lease, I initiated the placing of the Centre on the Community Assets Register.”
“This means that, if the County Council decide to sell the premises we have six months to find an alternative community use and the funding to purchase it.”
“If the economics make sense and the building can be adapted satisfactorily, I have always been in favour of relocating the Town Council offices to the Learning Centre, thereby centralising our facilities in Princess Street.”
“There may also be room in the building for other community facilities such as a local museum,” he said. We reported on the new museum plans for Burnham-On-Sea earlier this week.
This would allow the current Town Council premises in Jaycroft Road to be sold, putting funds back into the council’s coffers.
Cllr Harvey added: “In the Neighbourhood Plan, we highlighted the importance of the whole area and our desire to develop a Town Square in Princess Street. If the Town Council were able to acquire the Learning Centre, this would make it easier to achieve the objectives in the Plan.”
“At the moment, the Town Council is putting money into reserves as we have been advised that significant expenditure on the roof of our present building may be needed.”
He added that he “will only support this expenditure if we are satisfied that there are no viable alternatives.”
Cllr Harvey added: “My understanding is that the County Council have raised £70m recently by selling off assets so I think it possible, or even likely, that they will wish to dispose of this property. They know that the Town Council wish to discuss its future so I look forward to hearing from them.”
