Children's home sell off will help towards savings
A former children's home and holiday cottage is being sold by the council that owns it after it had become 'too costly to run'.
Towyn Cottage in Pwllehli in North Wales has been owned by Wolverhampton City Council and used to provide accommodation and breaks for children in care for more than 40 years.
But it has been empty for more than two years following a cost-cutting review.
The council is trying to save £123 million over five years.
The five bedroom former farmhouse will be auctioned off by Bigwood at Villa Park on October 23.
The council's Labour cabinet member for finance, Councillor Andrew Johnson, said: "We used to keep it as a care facility.
"But it had become very costly the run.
"Young people who went there would have staff present 24 hours a day.
"It was a highly specialist facility but we found other ways to give children in care respite breaks."
The property, set in 18 acres, used to provide placements for boys and girls aged between 10 and 16.
It was bequeathed to the council more than 40 years ago on the condition it must be used for the benefit of youngsters from the city.
Six other vacant plots of land in Wolverhampton are being sold with a combined value in excess of £200,000.
Also up for sale at the same auction is Ogwen Cottage, another children's centre owned by Birmingham City Council.
It is expected to fetch up to £400,000 for the building with eight dormitories that could for more than 40 youngsters.
The privately owned former Woodcross Club in Coseley is also being sold with a guide price of £250,000 to £300,000.
It shut last October and at the time secretary Barry Payton said: "We cannot keep up with the ever increasing costs of heating, lighting, insurance, alarm systems, and all the other utility bills, amounting now to over £5,000 per month, without wages and supplies.
"The club was formed in late 1945 by a small group of men shortly after the war.
"I have been at the club since 1957, during that time, we have run senior and junior football teams, have been well established throughout the Midlands for our crib, dominoes, darts and snooker teams as well as many future stars appearing at the club."
The auction starts at 11am.
