Labour call for judicial review on Durham Council HQ plans

The Labour opposition has said it is seeking legal guidance on "secret" meetings after major financial decisions were allegedly discussed in private.

The council has said it could not release such sensitive information while it was "in the middle of a property transaction".

It is selling the £50m Waterside building at The Sands, Durham to be used by Durham University Business School after planning permission was approved this week.

Read more: Plans for Durham County Council HQ to be turned into university approved

Durham Labour leader Councillor Carl Marshall, said: “Time and again, Labour has raised serious concerns about the way this coalition has reached decisions regarding the future of the Sands building and time and time again our genuine worries have been ignored or rebuffed.

“Every major decision has been debated and decided upon in secret meetings - behind closed doors, away from public scrutiny. When you are discussing projects that involve tens of millions of pounds in taxpayers’ money, that is just not right.

“An independent report found that the Waterside building is by far the most economically sound solution to the county council’s HQ issues.

Cllr Carl Marshall. Picture: Northern Echo. (Image: Northern Echo, Newsquest)

"Starting all over again makes no sense. With the incredible cost increases of raw materials, labour, fuel and land, there is no way this Tory-led coalition can build another HQ for anywhere near the same outlay."

It had been built by the previous Labour administration as a new HQ, replacing County Hall which is earmarked for demolition.

The council never moved in as the coalition scrapped Labour's plan, deciding to move to two new buildings at Aykley Heads and a refurbished building in Stanley instead.

Read more: Durham Council HQ - Sands vs Akyley Heads debate continues

Cllr Kevin Shaw, shadow cabinet member for strategic housing and assets, said: “This whole process is politically motivated. Coalition councillors backed themselves into a corner by opposing the Sands building when they were in opposition and now feel they can’t back down."

Cllr Kevin Shaw. Picture: Northern Echo. (Image: Northern Echo, Newsquest)

Council officers told a recent scrutiny meeting it was legitimate and "accepted practice" to keep sensitive information out of public discussions to protect the council's commercial interests.

Cllr Richard Bell, Conservative deputy council leader, said on Friday: “This is desperate stuff from Labour, trying to divert attention from bad decisions that were made when they ran the council.

"The economic case for selling the building at the Sands is compelling and has been established following a thorough and wide-ranging 10-month review.

"As part of our wider accommodation strategy, this outcome will kickstart investment and regeneration, boost employment at Aykley Heads, and secure a world-class business school in Durham.

Cllr Richard Bell. Picture: Sarah Caldecott. (Image: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest)

"Moreover, every county councillor has had ample opportunity to examine the full details of that process and the financial facts and figures that underpin it.

Read more: Durham Council HQ - Labour leader says plans are 'shambolic'

"A judicial review would be an unnecessary waste of time and money, delaying important work that will benefit residents of County Durham and our economy.”

--

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054