A BUDE-Stratton town councillor has accused the town council of ‘misusing’ protocol in an effort to ‘avoid public scrutiny’ surrounding the sale of Stratton Stores.

Since March, there has been ongoing conversation among councillors and residents about the looming sale of 1 Lords Court, the property home to Stratton Stores and the town’s Post Office.

However, on July 31, when Bude-Stratton Town Council voted in favour of accepting an offer for the site, many residents expressed that they did not believe the council had Stratton’s best interests at heart.

Councillor Tom O’Sullivan has said he felt some fellow councillors viewed the sale of 1 Lord’s Court as the sole option.

Speaking to the Post, he said: “I was not a town councillor when the building known as 1 Lords Court was purchased by Bude-Stratton Town Council.

“When I did return to the council shortly afterwards, regardless of how the decision was made, I believed there was a moral obligation on me and the council as a corporate body to explore every possibility of making the purchase work for the benefit especially of the residents of Stratton.

“It's clear to me that some had already decided the only approach they would pursue was to sell the building.”

Cllr O’Sullivan also felt public scrutiny of the matter had been avoided.

He continued: “As regards the way BSTC has handled issues relating to Lords Court, I'd have to say there's been a complete lack of transparency and claims of 'confidentiality constraints' have, in my opinion been misused to avoid public scrutiny and accountability.”

He added: “More than one week later councillors still have not been provided with the written offer to confirm the intention to purchase the building... but the claimed 'intention to retain Stratton Stores' has been widely publicised.”

Bude-Stratton Town Council have been contacted for comment.