62 The Strand: An Asset for Walmer

A few years ago Walmer Town Council made the controversial decision to buy 62 The Strand to use as offices. There were also concerns over the lease of 8 The Strand, the premises they had previously used. It would appear that this is all flaring up again, with several of the new councillors seeking to ‘re-fight’ the battle, with some wanting to sell no.62 and rent again. 

I am against this as I believe that the office is an asset for Walmer.

Furthermore, the Public Works loan used to buy it is charged at less than 2% interest for the life of the debt. It is true that it is not fully fit for purpose insofar as we cannot hold large meetings there, but this was also true of the previous office.

As we still hold the lease for no.8 we are now holding meetings there, which is possible because there is no office furniture and equipment present.

My view is that we should keep no.62, which gives us good office and storage space, continue with our efforts to reassign the lease for no.8 and rent halls for meetings as before. Ultimately we could remodel no.62 so meetings can take place there. This is a source of great frustration to me as this subject seems to be taking up a lot of time and energy that could be spent elsewhere.

Cllr Rick Blackwell