A PEAK Park chief has revealed the authority could sell its headquarters to meet the Government’s radical cuts targets.
The authority had said last week it would retain Aldern House in Bakewell, but that the 19th Century building – which is used by 145 employees – could be shared with other organisations.
However, during a debate on Friday, Cllr Jacque Bevan asked officers: "Have you thought about doing anything with the headquarters here?
"This is something someone has raised with me, a little tongue -in-cheek, about what would happen if we sold Aldern House and moved to the Riverside estate in Bakewell?
"I wondered if we had looked at it. Aldern House is quite an old building and I do think we should look at that."
Head of property services Matthew Croney replied: "We are going to look at Aldern House.
"We’re going to review all options. We have already started exploratory discussions."
The Government has told the Peak District National Park Authority to cut its overall £8.2million budget by about a quarter.
Members voted unanimously at Friday’s meeting in favour a new Asset Management Plan.
This will significantly reduce the authority’s property portfolio over the next ten years.
Peak Park owns or leases 15,000 acres of land, 158 woodlands, 20 minor properties, four leisure trails, 49 car parks, 18 public toilets, 30 operational buildings, four cycle hire centres, four visitor centres and 20 ranger stations.
All will be reviewed with savings in mind – with options including disposals and partnerships plus increased external funding and commercial schemes.
Officers have promised to protect the interests of the park and consult widely on potential deals.
Roger Clarke, lead member for asset management, said: "We should concentrate our ownership on those places where only we can do the job.
"Even before the cuts, we were under-investing in our assets to the tune of £150,000 a year.
"The devil is in the detail, but the overall thrust of the plan is a good one," he added.
Matlock Mercury
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