Page 25 - link magazine

Friends question council’s Lydiard Park figures and calls for delay Valuation Day
in rush to offload heritage asset opportunity

that salaries paid to 23 full time staff
at Lydiard totalled £665,000. This takes with
some believing. Thomas Plant
“A report commissioned by the
council in 2011- which coincidentally TV expert on Flog It!
was the subject of an unsuccessful The Antiques Road Trip
Freedom Of Information request & Bargain Hunt
- states the Lydiard subsidy was
only £350,000. But here’s the really
interesting bit, since 2011 catering has
been included in the Lydiard accounts.
In 2014 /15 the profit is recorded as
Friends of Lydiard Park from left, Anthony St John, Sarah Finch-Crisp, £73,000 seemingly reducing the subsidy
Sonia St John, Julie Holland, Mike Bowden yet further to £277,000.
“And there’s more. Many Lydiard and
The Friends of Lydiard Park which Steam operations are now combined
has advocated and protected the to achieve economies of scale and Bring along your portable items for a FREE valuation
interests of the house and park for reduced staff numbers - presumably to with Thomas, OR members of his team from Special Auction Services
60 years argue that the council needs further reduce the subsidy. We suspect
to rein back its enthusiasm to shed costs that belong to Steam have been Monday 14th December, 10am to 3.30pm
responsibility for these assets. incorrectly allocated to Lydiard.
Friends chairman Mike Bowden “We believe the true subsidy is at a Jury’s Inn, Fleming Way, Swindon SN1 2NG
said: “As far as we can tell Lydiard level which seriously questions the
Park was advertised by the council’s need for this radical and rushed Valuations are by appointment only.
commercial property consultants in process. The council should look at To arrange a time, please call
just three business publications. We’ve other simpler ways to eliminate the 01635 580595 or contact us via
been unable to find out if charities subsidy, for example the introduction
or heritage organisations have been of car parking charges and increasing www.specialauctionservices.com
approached. revenues from the catering offer.”
“We believe the subsidy or investment The outcomes of two public Special Auction Services
in Lydiard by the council is seriously engagement sessions in November will
overstated. The 2014/15 accounts state be presented at another event in the
that the subsidy is £458,000 but claims future.

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swindonlink.com n December 2015 25