LIB DEMS CAMPAIGN TO SAVE KEY ASSETS FROM BEING SOLD OFF

4.07.43pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 12th May 2008

On the 20th May, the Conservative Elected Mayor Nick Bye will decide at his Cabinet which council assets will be sold off. Liberal Democrat Councillors will attend that Cabinet meeting to try and stop certain key community assets being sold

Key assets that the Mayor is considering selling off include:

Paignton Monastery. Local Paignton Councillor Ruth Pentney said: "There is very strong local opposition to the selling off of this community asset. A massive petition has been handed into the Government against this proposal. A Friend's Group has been formed who would like this building to be kept for the Community - especially as it is the only community building in the area. Local people, including the Paignton Preservation Society, are very upset that the Mayor decided not to make a bid for lottery money to save this building. Selling off this building also goes against Government policy, as the Government are very keen on buildings being given to the local community to look after."

Beacon Quay. Tormohun Councillor Jenny Faulkner said: "There are worries that if Beacon Quay is sold off to the highest bidder that access to the beach by local people may be lost. It is vital that the beach is retained for use by local people. The Mayor needs to listen to the views of local residents, and not just view assets in terms of how much money they are worth. I also worry about how many of the new flats are going to be affordable so that local people can live there."

Barton Downs. Ward Councillor and Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Steve Darling said: "There has been outrage in the local community about the Mayor's proposed sell-off of 1.4 acres of Barton Downs. Hundreds of people have signed a petition in protest. A Friends Group has been formed to preserve the area. Barton Downs is well used by local residents, so the loss of this green space will be the thin end of the wedge. Whilst there may be a temporary reprieve the area is still under threat, so I will speaking against the sell off at the Cabinet Meeting."