Council says reports of selling the 'family silver' are 'completely inaccurate'

Mark Widdup, RMBC Director of Economy & Environment

Reports that Rochdale Borough Council is selling millions of pounds worth of council assets is "completely inaccurate", says the Council.

Critics have accused the Council of selling the "family silver", however, in a statement to Rochdale Online, Mark Widdup, the council’s director of economy said: “It is completely inaccurate to suggest that £600m worth of council assets are up for sale. A wholesale disposal of our assets is not a practical proposition and is not being considered.

"Last year the council voted to start looking at all the assets we have and how best we could use them. Like every council, we have to make sure our buildings are fit for purpose and provide the taxpayer with the best possible value for money. We are at the very earliest stage of doing this and absolutely no decisions have been made as yet.”