MAYOR DENNETT INSISTS THAT SUPPORT FOR BUILE HILL MANSION REMAINS

City Mayor Paul Dennett has reassured residents that Salford City Council’s commitment to restoring Buile Hill mansion remains as strong as ever.

It had been reported in the Salford Star that £800,000 which had been earmarked for the Mansion was to be re-allocated to replace a number of aging bin wagons within the councils fleet, the Mayor has now released a statement to clarify the situation.

Article: https://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=5781

Mayor Dennett repeated his promise that, although a suitable proposal for bringing the mansion back into use will not happen this year because of the pandemic, finding a long-term suitable use for the building remains a top priority for the city.

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“Due to the pandemic and economic downturn, it is clear that the external funding we hoped for will not be made available this financial year. Therefore, we have to pause, but not abandon our plans,” he said.

“That’s disappointing but we will not give up and it does not mean the council is any less committed to renovating the mansion despite COVID and other pressures we are facing.

“Salford City Council had allocated £1.5 million of capital spend in this year’s budget to support any suitable proposal, if charities and other external funders also pledged money. That will not happen this financial year so our proposal is to use £800,000 of the money on another much needed project - replacing ageing bin wagons.

“We will review the situation when we come to set next year’s capital budget but the council's intentions with regards to the building have not changed at all and we are still willing to pledge the £1.5 million to the building once a viable use has been found. We will continue to work closely with local residents throughout this process.”

 

The capital spending reallocation will be discussed at the lead member for finance and support services' briefing on Thursday.