Issue - meetings

Cabinet considered a report in relation to the business cases submitted by community organisations interested in in taking on the running of county council building where they were no longer required for the delivery of council services.

The report summarised the assessment of the bids to date and provided recommendations on the way forward.  The report also clarified the approach to be taken regarding any further expressions of interest/business cases which may be received.

It was noted that further Expressions of Interests were still being received, and would continue to be considered. A number of representations were made in relation to specific buildings and cases, and it was confirmed these would be given full consideration.

Resolved: That

  i.  the recommendations set out in Tables 2, 3 and 4 of the report be endorsed

  ii.  individual reports be presented in due course to the Deputy Leader of the County Council for decision in relation to Business cases set out in tables 2 and 3 of the report,

  iii.  the business cases submitted in relation to Brierfield Library be taken into consideration as part of the ongoing assessment of service delivery options in that area, and

  iv.  further bids for Community Asset Transfer be determined on their merits on the basis of the Community Asset Transfer Policy but that new Expressions of Interest are not considered where Business Cases made in line with the Property Strategy Consultation process are still under consideration, or where Community Asset Transfer to another group has already been agreed.

The Committee considered a report in relation to the business cases submitted by community organisations interested in in taking on the running of county council building where they were no longer required for the delivery of council services.

The report summarised the assessment of the bids to date and provided recommendations on the way forward.  The report also clarified the approach to be taken regarding any further expressions of interest/business cases which may be received.

The Committee's attention was brought to the Great Harwood Young People's Service property ((Bid reference number 78a) and the Heysham Children's and Young People's Centre (Bid reference 102b) bids that were included in table 4 - proposals that were considered to be unacceptable.  Having considered the bids further and in light of additional information, it was proposed that Cabinet be asked to move to table 3 to enable the bids to be further clarified and developed.  This amendment would be reported to Cabinet at its meeting on 6 October 2016.

Members agreed that it was important to give community groups and others the maximum opportunity to take over surplus buildings to enable them to enhance and develop their vital community work including the creation of independent community libraries.  It was noted that whilst the County Council would welcome further bids from community groups, there was a need for the bids to be submitted for consideration as soon as possible.

Resolved: That therecommendations setout inthe reportto Cabinet including the proposed amendment mentioned at the meeting be noted,and thatno additional commentsor suggestedalternative recommendationsbe made.