IN response to Cllr Aldred’s letter concerning their assistance in the Formby Hall situation.

To clarify, the objective of my letter was not to raise comparatives between the different political groups in their assistance with our campaign but merely to draw attention to Hilldale Housing and what I believe to be the exceptional support from MP Chris Green and independent councillor Jamie Hodgkinson, whose combined activities have led to a ‘Westminster call in’.

Both have assisted us with some of the following – raising almost 5,000 signatures for a petition to question why WMBC did not safeguard the future of the hall for the residents when selling it back in 2011, query if, as informed, it was the best deal for the taxpayer, request Freedom of Information requests relating to legitimacy of sale and figures/licensing dates, contact legal bodies to review all historical and current covenants and planning laws and review WMBC’s own internal audit review.

They also raised concerns as to why a company has been allowed to make a lucrative profit on the hall in potentially eight months, contacted English Heritage for support, wrote several letters objecting to demolition requests and queried why as the hall was profitable and feasible the Atherton community trusts that submitted bids to operate and run it appear unfairly overlooked.

They raised concerns on the buildings not being maintained as agreed, discovered the hall was potentially not paid for until 2014, not 2011 as led to believe, supported CAMRA in gaining an ACV on the hall, attended the demolition approval – where we signed in as objectors as our Labour councillor signed in as neutral – and then we voiced our various reasons for opposition concerning its usage, history and safety of demo.

Finally, through continued dialogue with Chris Green MP he has managed to get a ‘call in’ to Westminster by the Rt Hon Greg Dyke, secretary of state for culture – a situation which is very rare.

The Atherton Residents Association has had some contact with our Labour councillors. The assistance back in September we had was to remind us of the cuts back in 2011 – but it seems the halls weren’t sold until 2014 – and to inform us they looked at planning but the property was in private ownership. No further assistance/advice was offered.

I assumed if they had concrete help they would have made direct contact with us. They did advise of the challenges of community ownership for buildings and the only evidence I have of objections are concerning asbestos.

I am happy to be corrected with additional evidence but the letter was not designed to make comparatives but to merely show Formby Hall Ltd/Hilldale Housing the support and outstanding assistance of MP Chris Green and Cllr Jamie Hodgkinson during our campaign.

Carol Roberts, Atherton Residents Association member