Soon we will know!

This is a message from Hester Hand (COG Secretary) to all who are interested in the future of the Old Gaol in Abingdon.

Here is an update on events since our April meeting

1 Sale process As you have probably seen in the papers it, eight developers submitted Stage 1 proposals for the Old Gaol site. Only one of them, Brook Henderson, has contacted COG: their proposal looks exciting, including many of the features we have been pressing for, but until we know more about the other proposals we will keep an open mind rather than committing our support to any one.
Council officers and an advisory group of 6 Councillors are now reviewing the proposals to check that they comply with the criteria in the sale brief. They will recommend a shortlist for approval by the Executive on 13 July. We understand that all of the proposals which meet the criteria will be shortlisted – so the number could be anything up to eight.

We made a formal request to the Vale Executive on 1 June asking to be consulted during the Stage 1 deliberations and for the names of the other bidders so that we can contact them to discuss how we might work together if they are shortlisted for Stage 2. So far the Vale have refused to release the names so we have now submitted a further request under the Freedom of Information Act and await their response. Although there is no provision for formal consultation at this stage, we are talking to some of the Councillors and urging them to give due weight to community benefit (as well as financial and other “hard” criteria) in reaching their decision.

2 Petition Despite the intervention of the weather to spoil a number of our publicity events the petition has gone very well – at the latest count we have 3500 signatures. We will have a final effort on it from now till 8 July (see below for how you can help) then hand it in to the Vale shortly before their meeting on 13 July – hopefully with some razzamatazz and good publicity. We need a good turnout for that so please try to come along – will let you know when and where.

3 Future developments for COG When we see the shortlisted proposals we will be talking to each of the bidders about how COG can work with them to ensure that their Stage 2 proposals reflect community concerns. To ensure that we have suitable status for such discussions and are in a position to move quickly in response to any opportunities that arise we have been advised to establish ourselves as a limited company. The cost is minimal so we will be doing this very shortly. We would be interested to hear from any COG members who have experience of setting up or running a small limited company or charitable trust and could help or advise us in the next phase.

4 What can you do to help?
*** Get more signatures on the petition*** (I can provide more sheets if you need them, but please return them to the address is on the sheet by Monday 9 July . We find that direct contact is the most successful – get out on a fine summer evening (if we ever get any!) and knock on some doors.)
*** Get on-line signatures*** (e-mail your contact lists (but only those living in Oxfordshire please) and include the link to http://www.oldgaol.org.uk/ If your work allows private use of their e-mail system that can be a good source.)
*** Let us know if you have business, legal or financial skills or experience which could help us***

This is an exciting time - we will let you have more news after 13 July.

Hester