TOWN councillors in Barnard Castle have rejected plans to take over responsibility for grounds at Scar Top – nine years after initially pursuing a lease for the area.
The Scar Top lease was ready to sign in April, but the decision was put on hold until all councillors could study its terms after Cllr Paul Ing raised concerns about taking it on.
He said information received relating to the decision to pursue a lease in 2013, had not provided any answers to questions he raised and asked for the decision to be reviewed by all councillors.
The issue was discussed during their latest full council meeting on Monday, July 25, when members were unanimous in their decision to abandon the plans to transfer responsibility from Durham County Council due to the added burden on taxpayers with no added benefit to the community.
Cllr Frank Harrison raised concerns over potential maintenance costs for the area, which is a popular beauty spot with both locals and tourists.
He said: “I would like to say no because of the cost of maintenance. There is a wall that has not had work done on it for years and the bench seats, there are about ten of them, will all need looking after.”
Cllr Paul Ing said: “The only thing I can say that is by agreeing we would be agreeing to double taxation and I can’t agree to do that as a representative of taxpayers in the town. There has not been any offer of discount to the town council from Durham.”
Cllr Jan Thompson said he couldn’t see any added benefit of taking on the lease.
He added: “If there was any other use for the Scar Top for the community if we would have to carry the cost of maintenance, but I can’t think of any benefit to signing. We can still use the area; we just have to get permission.”
Clerk Martin Clark said: “It was referred to that we would continue to cut the grass. Double taxation is a big issue that they are trying to sort out.”
