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Councillor Faruque Ansari was appointed Camden’s new mayor at a ceremony in the Town Hall last night (Wednesday). The Kentish Town Lib Dem ward councillor replaces Councillor Nurul Islam. Cllr Ansari said he will champion Camden volunteers and named his chosen charity as The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery |
Mayor’s parting shot as he passes chain on
Loss of historic civic centre ‘would be a real shame’
CAMDEN’S Mayor last night (Wednesday) broke with the convention of not wading into political rows while wearing the ceremonial badge and chain by condemning the council’s plans to sell off and refurbish parts of the Town Hall.
Labour councillor Nurul Islam, in his last day in the Mayor’s parlour, said he was dismayed to see the Liberal Democrat and Conservative coalition pressing ahead with plans to find a new use for the Camden Centre – the civic centre in King’s Cross which is part of the main Town Hall building.
He went on the attack as Camden confirmed it has asked developers to consider buying parts of the 1970s annexe connected to the Town Hall and the Camden Centre in King’s Cross.
There are still rumours that the building could be swapped for a new sky-scraper, possibly as high as 26 storeys.
Camden plans to hold onto the Camden Centre but will change its use, angering the mayor, who has already said he won’t stand for the council again.
Cllr Islam said: “Civic functions at the Camden Centre are rooted in Camden’s history, going back decades, not just for previous mayors but also with civic groups in Camden and across the country.”
He added: “I think it would be a real shame if Camden Council let go of those traditions and memories, it is a special place for many different groups and communities. The council should think long and hard about these things before they make any major decision.”
His comments came just before he handed over the chain to Councillor Omar Faruque Ansari, who became only the second Liberal Democrat to become Camden mayor.
The Town Hall kick-started the process on Friday afternoon when it effectively put the annexe on the market, asking developers to show their interest in the site. Camden said the building comes with a £15million repair bill but it is being marketed on its location, close to St Pancras International and King’s Cross redevelopment. The council will be looking for cheaper office accommodation elsewhere in King’s Cross.
Lib Dem council leader Keith Moffitt said: “We are acting now to ensure that Camden residents don’t end up footing the bill for expensive repairs to council offices, especially important in these economically challenging times.
Labour ward councillor Jonathan Simpson said: “This gives me absolutely no confidence on the process moving forward. The initial research said that 26 storeys would be needed to make it financially viable for them. The wider point is also about when you’ve sold off all the family silver, you will have nothing left. Nothing is sacred.” |
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