Decision details

The Committee considered the report presented by the Health Improvement and Community Relations Manager which sought to secure committee support, subject to Policy and Finance approval, to grant Reach Learning Disability (RLD) a long term lease for the use of Hawtonville Community Centre for a period of 15 years with effect from 1 April 2021, with associated 5 year break clauses that were deemed acceptable and appropriate to both parties.

It was reported that the impact of Reach Learning Disability (RLD) in the local community and the benefits to the Council of having a reliable tenant had proved to be very successful and accordingly RLD were keen to secure a longer term relationship with the Council through a 15 year lease. Furthermore, if a 15 year lease was granted, RLD, as a registered charity, would be in a far stronger position to secure external grant funding to invest in and improve the facilities at the centre which will benefit service uses and community groups alike.

AGREED             (unanimously) that:

(a)                Leisure and Environment Committee recommend to Policy and                         Finance Committee that Reach Learning Disability be granted a                  15 year lease of Hawtonville Community Centre with 5 year                        break clauses;

(b)                the Director of Housing, Health and Wellbeing, be given                                        delegated approval to agree the terms of the lease including                         community access and use of the centre as is currently the                situation, and;

(c)                 Officer colleagues work with Reach Learning Disability to                                          explore opportunities to secure capital investment in the asset                    for the benefit of all.