CINDERFORD Triangle in the town centre, is the focus of a row between the town council and the Forest of Dean District Council, (FODDC), over the handling of the lease that covers the area.

The disagreement has escalated to the point of a warning of ‘formal legal proceedings’ being given by the town council.

In a strongly worded statement, the town council said: “Cinderford Town Council is very disappointed with the manner in which the Forest of Dean District Council has handled the lease arrangements for the Triangle.

“Following original negotiations/meetings regarding the terms of the lease, the town council had been given to understand that the lease would be re-drawn, or the possibility of the freehold of the area being passed to the town council.

“As a legal notice has now been served, the town council has been given the option of continuing with the lease in its current form, which is not cost effective for anyone managing the area, or to give notice to terminate the lease, and to hand back the area to the district council

“The town centre development was carried out with Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) funding for the community of Cinderford, with the FODDC, acting as the accountable body.

“The SRB guidance clearly states: “Partnerships may wish to transfer the ownership of grant funded assets at the end of the scheme, e.g. to a community organisation or to the local authority so that the community can continue to benefit from the investment...

“The ‘community’ in this instance, being Cinderford not the Forest of Dean.

“The Cinderford Triangle is not an asset for the FODDC and should not be treated as such.

“Cinderford Town Council has managed and maintained the area since its opening, and would wish to continue to do so. However, the current lease is not acceptable and the terms need to be re-drawn and agreed. We are hopeful that the district council will re-open negotiations regarding the lease, prior to the town council taking formal legal action.”

A spokesperson for the district council said: “A recent condition survey of the land and buildings at the Triangle has identified that approximately £5,000 of repair works are required to make the clock tower safe for public access. 

“In accordance with the current lease Cinderford Town Council is liable for the maintenance of the land and buildings at the Triangle.

“We are in the process of working through several options with them to ensure the best outcome for the Triangle, including the businesses on the site. To clarify, there has been no discussions on raising rents.”

The council says the Cabinet member for finance, Cllr Richard Boyles (Con, Newnham and Westbury) is willing to meet town councillors to discuss options for the Triangle.