Councillors Threaten Judicial Review Over Mosque Lease Decision

Councillors Louise Brown, Rachel Buckler, Simon Howarth, and local resident John Hardwick are preparing to launch a judicial review of Monmouthshire County Council's decision to lease a former library to the Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association for use as a mosque and community centre. The Christian Legal Centre is supporting the group, citing concerns over transparency, fairness, and the proper use of public assets. The group claims the council failed to address their concerns over religious impartiality, and they are seeking a new, transparent tender process. The council has until September 19 to respond to the pre-action protocol letter before any formal legal proceedings begin.

Key Takeaways:

• The four individuals are threatening to seek a judicial review of Monmouthshire County Council's decision to lease a former library to the Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association.
• The Christian Legal Centre is supporting the group, citing concerns over transparency, fairness, and the proper use of public assets.
• The group claims the council failed to address their concerns over religious impartiality and are seeking a new, transparent tender process.
• The council has until September 19 to respond to the pre-action protocol letter before any formal legal proceedings begin.
• The lease was signed for a peppercorn rent of £6,000 per year for 30 years, sparking concerns over the use of public assets.
• Reverend Gareth Wilde, a Labour member of Abergavenny Town Council, spoke in favour of granting the lease, citing the town's history of non-conformism and the need for the Muslim community to have a dedicated place of worship.
• The call in committee agreed the lease decision should be sent back to the cabinet, which stood by its original decision to award the lease to the community association.
• The council has described the lease as a "huge commitment" that makes the use of the building less attractive for businesses.

Statistics:

• The lease will cost £6,000 per year for 30 years.
• The tender process for the lease ran for four weeks in December 2024.
• The library was built for £4,000 and funded by the Carnegie Foundation in 1905.
• The library has been closed since 2015 when the service transferred to the town hall.
• The call in committee agreed the lease decision should be sent back to the cabinet.

Sources:

• Christian Legal Centre
• Christian Concern
• Local Democracy Reporting Service
• Monmouthshire County Council
• The Telegraph