Anger that Innes Centre sold for “under market price”

Mick Coats is calling for an inquiry after the former Innes Centre was sold at “under market price”

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The Secretary of the Spotland and Falinge Area Forum is calling for an inquiry after the former Innes Centre was sold at “under market price.”

Mick Coats of Rooley Moor Road is angry the way Impact Partnership have managed the sale of the former special school and surrounding land saying that the matter has been shrouded in “confusion and mystery”.

Mr Coats said: “The future of the Innes Centre site has been a matter for concern at the Spotland Area Forum meetings for several years. Public promises by the then Leader of the Council Alan Taylor in 2005 that part of the site could be earmarked for a Health Centre. A reassurance about plans to earmarked part of the site for future health provision was repeated by the then Head of Finance and Ward Councillor Greg Couzens.”

Mr Coats says that various site maps provided by Rochdale Council and Impact Partnership regarding the sale of the site have shown significantly different boundaries.

A map used by Pugh Auctioneers site to advertise the auction sale indicated the entire former Innes centre area but another map supplied by Rochdale Council's Asset Department in May 2010 suggested that Innes land to the north was not to be included in the sale. The officer stated: “We would only be selling the building footprint and areas of car park and hard standing”

Mr Coats says that repeated calls to clear up the apparent confusion of the sale boundaries have been ignored.

He said: “The decision to sell the site at auction was confirmed by then Leader of the Council Irene Davidson and Chief Executive Roger Ellis after briefing by Impact Partnership. Freedom of Information requests to view the briefing document have been repeatedly refused, however an Internal Review confirmed that the briefing merely consisted of “limited information” and “verbal communications” that were not classed as recorded information.

The Innes Centre site failed to reach its published reserve price of £800,000 at auction. Impact Partnership then organised a 'sealed bid' process from interested developers. The final decision to sell the site at below market value was approved by Cabinet.

The site has now been sold subject to contract and planning permission for 36 houses. Until this process has been completed, Rochdale Council retains control of the site. Unfortunately the former Innes school buildings suffered a fire last week. Cllr Couzens confirmed to the Spotland Area Forum that vandals had stripped wire from the buildings so the alarm systems were inoperative.

Mr Coats says he is angry at a “missed opportunity” for Spotland and wants answers regarding the way the sale process was conducted.

He said: “The disposal of council assets should be open and accountable. Why the rush to sell this off at under market value? Rochdale's public land should benefit the community - not property developers”

Mike Crompton, Impact's Property Services Director, said: "Impact has been working with the council’s Strategic Asset Management Team regarding the sale of Innes School and surrounding land. At public auction on 15 July 2010 the school failed to meet the reserve price set by council officers. However, four competitive post auction bids were received and these were reported to the council's Cabinet on 13 September 2010, and Cabinet accepted the highest bid, which is actually higher than the auction reserve price. Conditional contracts have now been exchanged with the proposed purchaser."