Decision details

(i)  To approve the disposal of Kingsland Community Centre to WICT on a freehold basis at Less than Best Consideration for a sum in the region of £10,800

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Head of Capital Assets to approve the disposal on a freehold basis at Less than Best Consideration on the basis it secures an improvement in the economic, social and environmental well being of the Council’s area by securing the delivery and growth of community services.

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Service Director (Growth) following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Leisure, the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Head of Capital Assets to do anything necessary to give effect to the recommendations contained in this report

(iv)  To note progress on transferring community centres and buildings since implementation of the Community Asset Transfer Strategy.

To ensure that progress continues to be made with the Council’s Community Asset Transfer Strategy by ensuring the continuation and development of valued local provision at Kingsland Community Centre.

The alternative options considered were:

•  doing nothing. This option was considered and rejected because this would hamper the momentum of the first phase of the Community Asset Transfer Programme.

•  disposing of the asset on the open market and securing a larger capital receipt. Kingsland Community Centre is in scope for the pilot Community Asset Transfer (CAT) programme. This was agreed by Cabinet at its meeting on 18 June 2013. The objectives of CAT include the retention of local facilities which are used for a variety of social, community and public purposes without the use of council funds in the future. This option was considered and rejected because although a smaller capital receipt will be secured, a disposal on the open market would not guarantee retention of Kingsland Community Centre as a community resource.