There have been developments in recent days with regard to the transfer of community assets from Sevenoaks District Council as part of Local Government Reorganisation.

Seemingly, SDC is looking at private buyers and the development potential of open spaces, instead of focussing on transfer of these assets to Town and Parish Councils so that they remain publicly owned. This affects anyone across the district that uses such facilities.

Below is a statement from the Chief Executive/Town Clerk of Sevenoaks Town Council:

As we head towards the uncertainty of Local Government Reorganisation in Kent expected to start to take place a year from now, what does the future hold for Sevenoaks?

Reading Sevenoaks District Council’s Finance and Investment Advisory Committee agenda papers for 7th April, it could look like the following:

- Stag Community Arts Centre - sold off to the highest commercial bidder or public charged £650,000+ (43% on Precept) to own its public asset*

- Hollybush Recreation Ground - used for residential development* on this treasured public open space originally gifted to the town

- Land at Bradbourne Vale Road (Horses Field) - used for residential development* making the riding school for disabled homeless

- Town Centre Markets - operated by distant local authority who knows little about the town, we have had similar disastrous operations before

- Parishes being charged for public open spaces in their villages.

What a legacy SDC will leave behind.

The public seems to have little say. Thousands have signed a petition for the Stag freehold to be handed to the Town Council / Charity who have had the Lease since 2009 and invested £1.5m into it. Currently SDC have said they will not accept the petition.

It doesn’t even seem that SDC elected members want this. However, we are told this is the requirement of the Council’s auditors Grant Thornton UK! We seem to have moved into a different kind of democracy.

All of these assets have been vested in SDC due to the previous Local Government Reorganisation. Custodianship of these community assets moved from one local authority to another at that time at no cost, surely this should happen again and not be an additional financial burden on the local community both in Sevenoaks town and in local parishes.

*income from these commercial activities would go to the new Unitary Authority

Linda Larter

Sevenoaks Town Clerk