A CHESHIRE West Councillor wants to know why residents are being asked to put their hands in their pockets to demolish a dilapidated former youth club.

Conservative councillor for Upton, Jill Houlbrook claims the community can't do anything with the building because it's dangerous and needs knocking down, but the Labour-run Cheshire West and Chester Council want to pass the responsibility the public to pay for it and then raise funds to take over the site.

Jill recently met up with 25 members of the public at Upton pavilion to learn about the possibilities for the youth club building on Wealstone Lane. Tim Dodd head of property services for the council was there to answer questions.

After the meeting she said: "I had a short briefing with Tim to try to understand the process. I was told that the decision to make the building the subject of an asset transfer had not been officially made and that the process would not begin until after 4th May. At the meeting both these has changed.

"When an asset transfer is underway the public has three months to show an interest and present a brief case. This is not a full financial presentation. Tim Dodd said at the meeting that the council administration wants to start the process immediately. This was not welcomed at all.

"Because of the local elections the period known as purdah starts on 17th March. At this date councillors cannot work with officers and officers cannot support members with community issues, so if the three-month period starts immediately I will not be able to act as an intermediary for our community.

"Also, the three months will be over before the May elections so borough and parish councillors elected then, will along with the community, be faced with a fait accompli, which people asked if Tim could pass this back to the council."

Jill added that many questions at the meeting focused on the value of the site and the building. She said that Tim made it clear that the building is not tenable for use and will need to be demolished but that the cost for this would fall on the Upton community.

She said: "Everyone at the meeting felt this was unacceptable. Neither the residents nor I can understand or accept that the council wants Upton to take on as a community asset a building which needs to be demolished and a site about which there is no financial information.

"There is definite interest in residents working together to facilitate a community asset transfer and to look for funding, but not under the current closed circumstances.

"I think to sum up the feeling of the meeting I can be confident in saying that yes people want to take advantage of the opportunities, but they are not willing to take on a building and a site as liabilities rather than assets.

"There is more to be done and the council must show willing to work with our community not impose upon Upton."