Issue - meetings

(Councillor Chris Burke left the room during the consideration of this item, having declared a pecuniary interest in the matter to be discussed. He took no part in the discussion and vote on the matter to be determined.)

Purpose of Report

1.    To advise members of a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) application from Lincolnshire YMCA relating to St Giles Community Centre.

2.    To seek approval, subject to a successful funding application by Lincolnshire YMCA, to asset transfer of St Giles Community Centre.

Decision

That asset transfer of St Giles Community Centre to Lincolnshire YMCA via a 25-year lease subject to successful funding being obtained from the Youth Investment Fund be approved.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

To reject the asset transfer application.

Reasons for the Decision

Lincolnshire YMCA were seeking to expand their role and functions in the area, with funding opportunities identified through the National Youth Investment Fund.

St Giles Community Centre had received low community use for some years now, In addition, Lincolnshire County Council who currently leased the building on a pro-rata basis had given notice on their licence agreement to use the centre which expired on 31 December 2022.

Previously a youth centre had been located next to the community centre but was subject to an arson attack in September 2016 which resulted in the building being demolished.

Community Asset Transfer (CAT) involved the transfer of the responsibility for an asset from the Council to a community group or voluntary organisation, either through a transfer of management responsibility, short or long-term lease, or through the transfer of outright ownership. Transfer of the asset could be at less than market value.

The application from Lincolnshire YMCA was comprehensive and included a business plan, financial forecasting and risk assessment. A successful asset transfer and funding bid would see £1.5m capital investment in the premises to improve and enhance them as a community facility.

The asset transfer would be dependent on a successful bid to the Youth Investment Fund; a £386m fund that aimed to drive position outcomes for young people through the creation, expansion and improvement of youth facilities and services.

The centre’s current asset value would remain on the Council’s balance sheet. The transfer of the centre would yield an ongoing revenue saving as per the Medium Term Financial Strategy as detailed within the officer’s report.

The proposed CAT was in the form of a 25 year peppercorn lease of the premises. The justification for this disposal at less than best consideration was on the basis that Lincolnshire YMCA was a not-for-profit organisation and there were perceived social and environmental outcomes for the public benefit from YMCA’s investment and enhancement of the building as a community asset, to provide better access for all.