Revamp plans spark civic row

New plans by Saddleworth Parish Council to spend a £500,000 loan modernising Uppermill Civic Hall have been attacked by independent councillor Ken Hulme.

Just over half of the council members attended a meeting which saw members choose Wiggett Construction to carry out the half-a million-pound project.

But Councillor Hulme has hit out at the council’s choice to, in his words, “push through the decision behind closed doors” after the press and public were excluded from the meeting.

He added: “I am appalled at what is going on and there is absolutely no mandate for councillors to take this action. You can’t exclude those who have to pay for this loan from the decision.

He has also warned that the cost could escalate to as much as £800,000 due to the instability of the economy and interest rates.

The facelift project will see the single-storey red brick rear extension replaced by a two-storey stone extension, incorporating new toilets, disabled access and catering facilities.

The council hopes that the moves should vastly improve facilities for locals and plans to pay the loan back over 25 years.

Councillor Bill Cullen supported the move.

He said:“It is not going to throw an extra burden on locals as it has been costed with the budget we already have.

“It is a well-used facility and if we don’t do something now we will end up with a situation like Oldham Town Hall.

“We have been consulting users and neighbours and working on the project for two years and it has not in any way been rushed through. It’s what was intended all along.”

Councillors defended excluding the public, stating commercial sensitivity as the reason.

Parish Council Chairman, Councillor Keith Begley, said: “This work will not increase the council tax precept. We shall be offering residents and users a building better suited to 21st century use.”

Should the loan be approved, work will commence in September and could see the revamped hall open for business by March, next year.