THREE councillors have issued a joint statement in a bid to dispel an “acrimonious atmosphere” in which they claim unfair and untrue accusations have been thrown at themselves and Warrington Borough Council.
Leader of the council Ian Marks and executive board members Bob Barr and Sheila Woodyatt say they want to clarify their position over the future of Lymm’s youth club building in Bridgewater Street.
A volunteer group, Lymm Youth and Community Centre Management Committee, led by Neville Davies, has revamped and re-opened the premises, which had been virtually unused for some time – and the three councillors say they welcome this.
But they say: “Unfortunately this has been done in an acrimonious atmosphere in which accusations have been thrown at Warrington Borough Council and the three borough councillors which are unfair and untrue.
“The purpose of this note is to clarify our position and form a basis for resolving the points on which we agree and those on which we disagree.”
The three councillors – who are also members of Lymm Parish Council – say the club site belonged to the former Lymm Urban Council and in 1966 was leased to four trustees nominated by Lymm Youth Club to enable them to 
build on the site.
Under local government reorganisation in 1974, ownership of the site was transferred to Warrington Borough Council.
The lease expired in 2006, although as early as 2004, the borough council tried to begin negotiations over a renewal. But there was no longer a panel of trustees able to take on the lease. Negotiations continued up to and beyond the expiry of the lease – and still continue.
“Warrington Borough Council interprets the lease, their registered title, and the history of the site as giving ownership.”
However the club management committee had publicly challenged this and claimed to have legal advice to the contrary.
The three councillors say if the matter requires legal resolution, this must happen and all parties must abide by the outcome.
They say youth activities provided by volunteers at the club in recent years have been “sporadic” so the involvement of the Mr Davies and the management committee in managing the building has been welcome.
However the issue of the youth provision and the best way to deliver it in Lymm remains, which is why they support a three year lease to the management committee to give time to test the situation.
They point out that Lymm offers a very wide range of youth activities so it is not unreasonable to ask what the role of the youth club is in the future?
“We are not saying it isn’t necessary – but a 10 year peppercorn lease on the assumption that there is an ongoing requirement is not a reasonable demand.”
The councillors say rumours of selling the site and contacts with potential developers are “entirely without foundation.”
But the possibility of developing sites on the waterfront to provide funding for community facilities elsewhere in the village are being considered and may be put to the public for consultation. They say the club management committee have stated they are not necessarily against this, providing a replacement facilities is also on the waterfront or near the village centre.
The three councillors say if the management committee can demonstrate there is a demand for the present facility it will be much easier to ensure the future of either the existing building or a replacement.
They say they are doing all they can to ensure the full potential of the youth club building is fairly tested.
But they have a responsibility to the residents of Lymm and the people of Warrington to ensure that resources are properly used.
“The case for community facilities for the youth of Lymm as well as people of all ages has to be made. If it is, then it should be possible to do something constructive.”
Pictured (from the top): Coun Marks, Coun Barr and Coun Woodyatt.
