THE great-great granddaughter of Joseph Chamberlain has accused Birmingham City Council of failing to organise crunch talks to secure the future of Highbury Hall.

A coalition of community groups and worried individuals, including Mary de Vere Taylor, a direct descendant of the social reformer, have all voiced serious concerns about Birmingham City Council’s management of Highbury Trust.

The Trust, a registered charity, was formed in 1932 when the Moseley estate of Chamberlain was bequeathed to Birmingham City Council to be used “for the benefit of the people of Birmingham”.

Ms de Vere Taylor relayed her concerns to the Charity Commission, which stipulated that the council must hold a public meeting by the end of September but has so far heard nothing.

Ms de Vere Taylor said: “As far as I am aware, the council has so far failed to organise or even publicise such a meeting. There are many people interested in the future of Highbury Hall and who would like to contribute to the debate around Highbury Trust.

“I have asked Councillor Mike Whitby, leader of the council, to keep me informed, but have had no reply to my most recent letter of June 8. I had hoped for a constructive dialogue so we could work together to ensure Highbury is now used to honour my great-grandfather’s bequest.”

A Birmingham City Council spokesman said: “An agreement was reached with the Charity Commission that a public meeting would be held by the end of September. If feasible, this meeting could be in July, however this has not proven feasible. The meeting will now take place in September, and be publicised in good time.

“The Charity Commission did not make a recommendation that there should be an independent trust established, instead they agreed with the council that a range of options needed to be considered by the authority.”