BCP COUNCIL is continuing its efforts to buy Barclays House, despite a wave of opposition to the idea.
It was revealed back in June Barclays gave BCP Council exclusivity period to explore a potential purchase of the estate.
The council put in an ‘indicative figure’ of £17 million and was “calculated on the limited information available at the time” according to council leader Drew Mellor.
Read more: BCP Council should 'absolutely not' buy Barclays House
Earlier this week, opposition councillors called for BCP leaders to drop plans to purchase Barclays House, as the authority struggles with poor finances.
It has been confirmed BCP Council is continuing talks to buy the historic building, with “extensive” due diligence nearing completion.
A spokesperson for BCP Council said: “We are currently finalising our extensive due diligence. Any decision to purchase the site would be subject to the council’s decision-making process and would require approval by full council.”
Read more: BCP Council is looking to buy Barclays House in Poole
As reported, opposition party councillors have said BCP Council should “absolutely not” continue to buy Barclays House.
Opposition leader Cllr Vikki Slade said: “I wasn’t convinced this was a good idea 10 weeks ago. But now, this is less about can we do it, but more about are the council are allowed to do it.
Read more: BCP Council's bid for Barclays House was an "indicative figure"
“I haven’t heard yet a good explanation of what the council will do with the site. This feels like a vanity project.”
Cllr Steve Bartlett also echoed calls for the council to abandon its plans, saying he is "very nervous" about the financial status of BCP right now.
Cllr Bartlett added: "The council needs to stop on excessive spending. We need to sit back and sort it out."
Council leader Drew Mellor said in June: “An indictive figure (and not a binding bid) was presented as part of the discussion about securing an exploratory exclusivity period and access to the building, data room and documents that would allow the value of a formal bid to be calculated.
“The decision to make a binding bid will be taken by full council, which will be based on formal, independent valuations and independent reports on inspections of the condition of the buildings.”
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