MCC offers Beaufort Court Management a deal

In an attempt to get work on Shire Hall back on track, Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) has offered Monmouth firm Beaufort Court Management Company a deal.

Contractors have been unable to erect scaffold in Beaufort Square because the landowners are refusing to give their consent for them to continue.

MCC has agreed that if the work is not complete within 14 months of restarting, they will pay the company for every week that the project runs on.  The company have not yet decided on whether they will accept this and allow the building to be restored.

Council officers were getting frustrated at the delay in erecting the scaffolding around Shire Hall and have had meetings with Beaufort Court Management Company to try to resolve the issue.

Bob Greenland, cabinet member for regeneration at Monmouthshire County Council, said:

"We've tried to be pragmatic in our dealings with Beaufort Court Management Company but unfortunately, so far, those acting on behalf of the business have not seen fit to take a reasonable line.

"Shire Hall is a public building, and we are using public funds for public benefit. I hope that the company see reason, accept the offer and allow us to get on with restoring this historic building for our community."

Already, in an effort to move things forward, council officers have agreed to alter the scaffolding design at a cost of £51,000 and offered to replace two sash windows at a cost of £3,000. 

This has been done in an effort to accommodate the wishes of the Beaufort Management Company who are demanding £5,000 a week in the event that the scaffolding is not removed by the end of December 2009. 

Debra Hill-Howells,  Estates Manager said:

"Given the magnitude of the project, and the benefits that the restored building will deliver for the wider Community it is essential that we move the project forward as quickly as possible. Our offer is a pragmatic solution to resolving this dispute in a timely manner which will allow us to get on with the restoration without further delay"

Steve Greenslade, Corporate Director of regeneration, environment and resources said:

"We have a duty to protect public money which has come not only from Monmouthshire County Council, but from the Heritage Lottery Fund. 

"We have been more than accommodating in our dealings with the Beaufort Management Company and they are putting the project in jeopardy."