Decision details

To uphold the previous decision to exclude this property from offer under the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) process in order to ensure the continued delivery of youth services from the site. 

The property at Newtown Youth Centre is currently occupied by the YMCA Fairthorne Group (“YMCA”) under a lease granted by the Council and due to expire in March 2017. The YMCA confirm that the continuation of the service provided by the YMCA to the community is subject to the confirmation of additional funding. Such external funding approval can only be obtained on evidence of a long term interest in the property. The YMCA advise that the freehold interest in the property is required.

The alternatives considered were :

• Do nothing – this would not give the YMCA enough legal interest in the property to secure the funding they require to continue in occupation.
• The Council explore the possibility of transferring the property to another charity with the same or similar objects on the basis that it would form a permanent endowment of that charity, and the Council terminating all involvement with the youth centre.
• Dispose of the property and use the proceeds to provide an alternative youth centre elsewhere.