Reform oppose High Borrans closure

Reform UK opposition councillors in North Tyneside have spoken against the council’s plans to shut and sell its outdoor education centre, High Borrans.

As the outcry over the local authority’s decision to close and sell its Cumbria-based outdoor education centre rages on, Reform UK councillors have weighed in, questioning the move. While the council maintains that the site is no longer financially viable, requiring £3m to keep it open and compliant, the opposition group is calling for the decision to be reversed and for more options to be explored.

This comes despite the authority’s plans to prepare the site for sale on the open market.

Reform UK North Tyneside Press Officer Coun Chris Croft, said: “High Borrans has served generations of children and young people across North Tyneside. A decision of this significance should never have been made behind closed doors without proper engagement with the schools, youth groups and community organisations that rely on it. Staff were informed only after the decision had already been taken.

Coun Croft added: “The Labour Cabinet could have chosen to invest in High Borrans and modernise the facility at their behind-closed-doors meeting, but chose to close it and sell the site off. We are actively seeking the original 1967 transfer agreement from Lady Dorothy Somervell to Tynemouth Borough Council, as it may contain covenants restricting how the land can be used or sold. If such protections exist, they should be made public.”

More on the story: Reform councillors call on North Tyneside Council to reverse the closure and future sale of High Borrans | Chronicle Live