A decision to transfer Brampton’s former infant school buildings to a trust which plans to sell them has been criticised by the politician representing the town.

County councillor Lawrence Fisher says there has been a lack of consultation over his authority’s decision to transfer the redundant Victorian buildings.

The old school in Moat Street has been empty since the amalgamation of Brampton’s infant and junior schools in 2009.

In 2012 Brampton and Beyond Community Trust, which runs the Irthing Centre in Union Lane, expressed an interest in the use of the buildings which are now in the process of being transferred.

Frustrated, Mr Fisher is considering going to the Local Government Ombudsman about the issue.

He said: “They didn’t tell the cabinet that the local committee weren’t keen on the asset being transferred.

“Nobody was consulted. I was never consulted, the parish council were never consulted.

“The local committee were never consulted on the fact that they were going to give it to Brampton and Beyond for them to sell, and they had no details of what they were going to do with the money.

“My argument was if the county council are willing to give it to the Brampton and Beyond to sell and do with it what they want, why can’t the county council sell it and split the proceeds between Brampton and Beyond and parish council, who need an awful lot of money to renovate the Moot Hall.”

Mr Fisher added: “I don’t think they’ve done the job properly.”

He’s drawn attention to the council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy and Guidance Document 2012 which states: “All requests for transfers must have the support of the community they serve.”

It continues: “Local members and local committees have a key role in area-based property reviews as their knowledge and understanding of their local areas and wider neighbourhoods is essential in formulating balanced decisions in the interests of all members of the community centre.”

The parish council didn’t want to take on the buildings as it couldn’t cover the cost of maintaining them. Councillors did not know that they could sell them on.

Allison Riddell, the parish clerk, said they received very little correspondence or advice from the county council and said if they’d known more, they may have taken it on.

The council had plans to turn it into a car park, while others suggested conversion of the buildings into a hostel or low cost accommodation.

When the trust’s application was brought to the attention of the council’s Local Committee for Carlisle in March 2013, support was given for a short-term lease. But when the decision came before the cabinet, Mr Fisher said the report did not reflect that resolution.

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council defended their position.

He said: “Following consideration of the views of the local committee, cabinet agreed to support Brampton and Beyond Community Trust’s ambitions to improve the Irthing Centre by agreeing to a freehold transfer of the former infant school building.

“This will give them the freedom to sell the building should they wish and raise the capital to invest in refurbishment of the Irthing Centre.”

Mr Fisher also understands the trust was gifted the site where Impact Housing is establishing a £4.6m housing development for older people. The trust will then get £10,000 a year income from the lease, according to Mr Fisher.

A spokesman for Brampton and Beyond Community Trust said: “The trust is not in a position to comment on councillor Fisher’s concerns about council procedures. The transfer of the former school to the trust is proceeding.”

In the past the trust considered turning the buildings into a youth hostel or sheltered accommodation, but decided a sale would pay for the upgrade of its facilities in Union Lane.