“A disgrace, frankly” - local Lib Dems respond to Pounds House auction date confirmation

Responding to the announcement by Plymouth City Council that Pounds House and its gardens will be sold off by auction later this month, the Chair of Plymouth Liberal Democrats Stuart Bonar said:

“Plymouth Liberal Democrats oppose the sell-off of Pounds House. It is a disgrace, frankly. Pounds House is a jewel in the city’s crown, much loved by residents of Peverell and throughout the city.

“This place holds a special place in the hearts of many local people, myself included. Playing in the gardens around Pounds House was a part of my childhood. I remember going into the building as a child when it was a library. Many local people have similar memories.

“Labour announced with much fanfare back in 2021 that they had set aside £1.82 million to restore Pounds House and its gardens to their former glory. It was ‘all systems go’, they promised. That money was in the budget until earlier this year [see confirmation here]. Now, Labour have decided to flog it off at auction, presumably to the highest bidder. If local people had wanted a council that would sell off the family silver, they’d have elected the Conservatives!

 “Even now, it is not too late for backbench Labour councillors to show some backbone and rebel against this. They can block this, if they are willing to put local people ahead of local party bosses.”

Local people who back Lib Dem calls to stop the sell-off of Pounds House can sign up to show their support at https://www.plymouthliberaldemocrats.org.uk/pounds-house