Forres Baptist Church wants to buy common good land currently rented from Moray Council

A local church claims that Moray Council has agreed to sell it common good land - while running a public consultation on the decision.

Forres Baptist Church has proposed to buy privately owned Clovenside Chapel and common good land outside the adjacent cemetery - the community has until June 3 to confirm if it is happy for the purchase to proceed.

Pastor Dr Jon Mackenzie is looking forward to owning the building that the Baptists have looked after and internally remodelled over the 14 years.

He explained: “We're hoping people will support the purchase of the land as the proceeds of the sale will be credited to the Forres Common Good account and the funds distributed within the local community.

“The sale would also avoid any future vacant property liabilities which would burden the account. If it goes through, the community will benefit to the tune of £280,000, so it is worth supporting.”

The transfer would include the private premises and a small section of the car parking area between the church and the graveyard visiting the cemetery.”

Key questions in the council consultation are: ‘Are you happy for the proposal to proceed?’ and ‘What are your views on the proposal in relation to the disposal from Moray Council to the Forres Baptist Church?’

Submissions can be made by email to CAT@moray.gov.uk or by post to FAO CAT Team, Forres Baptist Church, Housing and Property Services, Room 245, Moray Council Office, High Street, Elgin, IV30 1BX; or via the online survey at http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_161083.html

After the consultation period closes, council officers will review all representations and provide a report to the Corporate committee for a decision to be made.

Forres Baptist Church was initially allowed to use the space by the current owners of the building - William Purves Funeral Directors - before entering into a formal contract to rent it as sole occupiers.

The rent has increased over the years, in-keeping with the price the council charge for the land on which the building is situated.

William Purves have since offered to sell the building and Pastor Mackenzie claims Moray Council has also agreed to sell the land its on for a combined price of £400,000.

The church are currently raising funds for the project, looking to take out a mortgage when the deposit has been achieved.

Moray Council is responsible for the administration of nine common good funds as assets in the form of land and buildings, as well as in cash.

To be able to make a reasonable level of grants from the income available, two-thirds are distributed annually, with the remaining third being retained for contingencies and for addition to the capital sums being retained.

When considering applications for grants, each application should be considered on its own merits. The council decides whether or not it is reasonable to make disbursements each year for the benefit of the community.

The reserve generated from the funds is used to maintain the land and buildings held as assets.

Forres Community Council discussed the potential sale of the annual income-generating land at their last meeting at Forres House Community Centre.

Chairman Steve Ferris said: “We agreed to send a number of questions about the potential sale and Forres common good to Councillor Scott Lawrence (Forres, SNP).

“Once he has the answers we can have a more informed discussion on the subject at our May meeting, then respond to the consultation before the deadline.”