Published October 9, 2017 at 13:57
The Council and the Haslingden Baths Community Interest Company have issued the following statement:
Rossendale Council and HBCIC continue to work together.
Progress of the refurbishment has been limited in the last few months, because of building structural issues and financial restrictions.
The Council and directors of HBCIC have met on numerous occasions and the Council has advised it is willing to release £100,000 on the condition that the funding shortfall is met by other funding sources.
HBCIC have researched options which may prove advantageous in terms of raising the capital. It has been decided that a Community Share scheme will be adopted. HBCIC will be preparing a prospectus for this scheme , and a marketing strategy, over this next few months. This will be community led and independent of the Council.
The Community Share scheme is provisionally intended for release in the period February – April 2018. Should the funds be raised it will enable refurbishment to restart in Spring.
In addition, the community company (HBCIC) are seeking to strengthen their management structure.
The Council is supportive of this direction and will continue to support and work in partnership with HBCIC as it moves towards this aim.