5 The Cross Community Centre PDF 211 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
Following
scrutiny, members supported the recommendation outlined in the draft Cabinet
report.
Minutes:
The
Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, advised members that the
report detailed an administrative process to transfer ownership of the building
between directorates, to enable future use of the building to be determined. A
report on future use of the building will be brought to Cabinet in due course.
Members
commented that organisations leasing community centres are responsible for the
upkeep and maintenance of the building. Who is responsible for monitoring the
maintenance of the buildings and ensuring that lease conditions are adhered to.
The
Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing advised members that community
centres are outsourced on full care and maintenance leases, therefore the
responsibility to maintain and monitor the building falls to the tenant.
The
Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning confirmed that there is no
capacity within the local authority to inspect leased buildings.
Members
questioned whether there would be an opportunity to recover any grant funding
if a leased building had not been maintained.
The
Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing confirmed that the lease on
the Cross Community Centre has already been terminated and there is no scope
for grant recovery.
Members
commented that organisations need awareness of the responsibilities of taking
on a full care and repair lease; the buildings are public assets. Members
expressed concern that the facility was well used and questioned whether there
was adequate provision at alternative venues within the area.
The
Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, commented that this was not
directly related to the report but confirmed that many venues in the area such
as; the Arts Centre, Leisure Centre, Library, The Heritage Centre and Town and
Community Council facilities had available space to hire.
The
Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning commented that when
significant issues with the building condition were identified, new facilities
were found for tenants quickly.
The
Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economic Growth stated that Shared
Prosperity Fund (SPF) money had been allocated for building repairs and
modifications of leased community buildings. There may need to be awareness
raising to advise of the availability of funding to help maintain the condition
of leased buildings.
Following
scrutiny, members supported the recommendation outlined in the draft Cabinet
report.