Ferret has been busy sniffing out more information to share with you, the good people of the Parish.
Today, Ferret can reveal further information regarding the former Sports Complex land, off Kirkby Road in Hemsworth and the ongoing litigation between Saul Construction and Hemsworth Town Council.
Ferret can confirm this information is FACTUALLY CORRECT and has been received from a reliable source:
There has been much misinformation about the sale of the Old Sports Complex on Kirkby Road Hemsworth by Hemsworth Town Council to Saul Construction Ltd. and we feel that it is about time the local community were aware of a few truths about this fiasco.
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE OLD SPORTS COMPLEX ON KIRKBY ROAD HEMSWORTH
Here are a few headline facts: –
• Hemsworth Town Council have received more than a fair value for the land
• Hemsworth Town Council has already received what they are due to under the Contract in the form of cash, Hemsworth Community Centre, the land the Community Centre is built on and the Sandygate Football Complex.
• In addition, the Town Council have also received £50k advance payment of the Sports Development Contribution from Saul Construction against the wishes of Wakefield Council for planning contribution.
• Saul Construction Ltd confirm there is an outstanding balance of just under £1.4m, but NONE of this is due to Hemsworth Town Council and it will go immediately to the West Yorkshire Residuary Body via Wakefield Council.
• The £1.4m is not Hemsworth Town Council’s money and therefore they have not lost anything.
• In January 2017 Saul Construction Limited actually paid the remaining £1.4m to the previous Hemsworth Town Council to complete the sale. However, due to issues between the previous Hemsworth Town Council and Wakefield Council, the money was eventually returned to Saul Construction Limited.
• The current Hemsworth Town Council are refusing to complete the sale and are making erroneous and vindictive claims in justification of their refusal to complete, which is preventing the development of much needed housing for Hemsworth.
• Because of the Town Councils unreasonable and unjustified approach, Saul Construction Limited have taken the matter to the Courts. This may eventually cost Hemsworth Town Council £350000 in costs.
These costs would have been avoided if Hemsworth Town Council had completed on the sale. The costs could still be kept to a minimum if Hemsworth Town Council complete on the sale before the case is scheduled to be heard by the Court.
• In the unlikely event of the Court not enforcing the sale of the land to Saul Construction Limited it is probable that Hemsworth Town Council will have to meet restitution costs amounting to £2.75m. This is for the benefits they have already received under the part performance of the Contract plus the £50,000 advance payment of the Sports Development Contribution.
• It is apparent that the current Hemsworth Town Council are not acting in the interests of the local community in the matter of the sale of the Old Sports Complex on Kirkby Road, Hemsworth.
• Also, Mr Jim Kenyon has caused 3 Judicial Reviews of the Planning Process and he has in effect lost on each occasion. He has pursued a personal vendetta against Saul Construction Ltd. which has achieved nothing positive for the local community. This same Mr Jim Kenyon is now the Chair of Hemsworth Town Council, draw your own conclusions.