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Council properties sitting empty
Unused council-owned buildings worth almost £7m are sitting empty, according to a new report.
County Hall revealed it has 17 "surplus buildings" across the county.
The properties, which include former care homes and libraries, are all up for sale – but failing to sell due to the credit crunch.
A report is due to go before the county council's Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee on Friday.
It reads: "There is no doubt that in the current economic climate sales will be affected, but each property sale is assessed on its own merits.
"The county council does not hold a property investment portfolio nor is it a housing authority.
"Therefore, as a general policy it seeks to sell all surplus property as soon as possible once declared surplus to operational requirements.
Value
"Vacant buildings are regarded as a maintenance and management liability."
The authority currently owns a portfolio of 1,836 "assets" with a total value of 1.2bn.
Coun Frank De Molfetta, who represents Preston Central North, said of the empty buildings: "I think we should dispose of them and get them back in use in the community.
"There's no point having buildings when they are not being used and it's difficult in the current economic situation."
Coun Geoff Driver, Conservative group leader at the county council, said it may still be cheaper to "mothball" unused buildings rather than open them up to the community groups and that he would look to review the council's assets if his party came to power.
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Weather for Preston
Thursday 09 February 2012
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Light sleet
Temperature: 2 C to 3 C
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