Decision details

(i)  to approve the leasehold transfer of the Eagle Warehouse from the Council to St John’s Primary and Nursery School (the Regents Park Learning Trust) for;

(ii)  to approve the freehold transfer of the Mission Hall from the Council to St John’s Primary and Nursery School (the Regents Park Learning  Trust);

(iii)  to approve the freehold disposal of the Mission Hall on terms at less than Best Consideration in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972 General Consent 2003;

(iv)  to delegate authority to the Head of Property Services, following consultation with the Head of Education to determine the detailed terms and conditions pertaining to the above property transactions and all ancillary and associated matters.

1. In response to the increased demand for primary school places in the City centre, St John’s Primary School is expanding to become a 420 place primary school from September 2014. As there is very little space on the school site the expansion will be achieved using an SCC owned building, the Eagle Warehouse, which is opposite the school. Eagle Warehouse is currently occupied by Archaeology Services, who will need an alternative storage space.
2. Children’s Services and Leisure Officers have agreed that Archaeology Services will vacate the Eagle Warehouse (French Street) and the Mission Hall (the latter is located on the school site) and relocate to the Melbourne Centre on Melbourne Street, which was previously occupied by the Pupil Referral Unit. This will allow the school to occupy the vacated buildings and provide them with the necessary space.  

1. If these moves did not happen it would make the expansion of the school almost impossible. This could result in the Local Authority (LA) being unable to meets its statutory duty of offering a school place to all those children that require one.
2. The LA could transfer the freehold of the Eagle Warehouse to the school, but given the historical significance of the building and the fact that it is outside of the current school site, it seems prudent for the LA to retain ownership of this building and lease it to the school.
3. The Mission Hall could be sold on the open market to generate a capital receipt but this would mean that the school could not expand their overall accommodation. Therefore this has been rejected.

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