Kirklees College is going to evict Holmfirth Tech from the ex-Adult Education Centre at the end of September.
Holmfirth Tech Ltd was set up last year as a charitable community benefit society to make sure the building remained a locally owned asset. After 18 months of trying to find the right and proper way to transfer ownership, Kirklees College has slammed closed the door.
Kirklees College is adamant that it must sell the property. Holmfirth Tech and many local people are not so sure.
Holmfirth Tech’s legal advisor considers that Kirklees College holds the building in trust for the people of Holmfirth. Kirklees College believes it must maximise the value of its assets so it wants to sell the building and use the money in Huddersfield as part of its financial recovery plan.
Holmfirth Tech believes this is not the right thing to do. Many local people agree.
Kirklees College claims that there is no demand in Holmfirth. The last year seen the demand for a creative and community hub flourish. After standing empty for years, over 400 people of all ages now use the building every week.
Holmfirth Tech believes the right thing for Kirklees College to do is to transfer ownership to Holmfirth Tech Ltd who will ensure it is owned and used properly for the benefit of local people and will safeguard its future.
Regardless of which route is followed, the Charity Commission has to give its approval. It has had three go’s at running public consultation exercises and, as a result of local objections, has decided not to go ahead with the route proposed by Kirklees College but it needs more time to consider which is the right route.
Kirklees College is pre-empting the Commission’s decision, is refusing to discuss the position any more with Holmfirth Tech and has served an eviction order.
Thelma Walker, our MP and the Holme Valley Parish Council are fully behind Holmfirth Tech and we now need your support!
How you can support us:
Email the Charity Commission using ref 'Holmfirth Adult Education Centre CRM:0023790' CSCorres1@charitycommission.gov.uk
They are the only body who can stop this!
Please ask the Charity Commission to tell Kirklees College to reopen discussions with Holmfirth Tech Ltd so that transferring the ownership of the property can proceed with no further delay.