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Decision details

CHARNWOOD HOUSE, HITCHIN

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

The Council has a policy for Charnwood House to be brought back into use to support community-based activities.

A Record of Decision dated 3 August by the Executive Member for Enterprise approved the re marketing of Charnwood House on a long lease basis to organisations with the vision and expertise to transform it into a thriving community asset. This follows a previous Cabinet decision in December 2020 approving the principle of marketing and for the terms of any transaction to be presented back to Cabinet for approval.

The new marketing sets out the Council’s aspirations, seeking proposals from suitable interested organisations and offers based on the Council’s proposed letting arrangement which will include works required to the property, lease length and acceptable uses.

Applicants are required to complete a detailed application form. This Cabinet report seeks approval to the basis for assessing and scoring the applications and delegating final approval of the successful organisation to the Executive Members for Enterprise and Resources.

Decision:

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

 

(1)  Approved the basis and process for assessing and scoring applications from suitable interested parties (or groups).

 

(2)  Delegated authority to the Executive Member for Enterprise in consultation with the Director of Enterprise, to finalise the terms for the lease and to complete any other documentation required to give effect to the decision.

 

(3)  Approved grant of a long lease of Charnwood House, including a restriction to community use, and delegates to the Director of Enterprise in consultation officers in Estates and Legal Services to consider rental at a value less than best consideration where it can be shown that the disposal will promote and improve social well-being pursuant to the Local Government Act 1972: General Disposal Consent 2003.

 

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

 

(1)  The Council has a policy for Charnwood House to be brought back into use to support community-based activities, recognising the potential value of the asset to local and regional groups and the wider town centre.

 

(2)  The Council Plan 2024-2028 identifies Thriving Communities as one of the Council’s priorities which includes looking for opportunities to develop community hubs that provide public spaces and support for communities.

 

(3)  This recommendation sets out how the successful applicant will be selected to enable the Council to progress granting a lease of Charnwood House and deliver the policy for the property.

Report author: Philip Doggett

Publication date: 23/09/2026

Date of decision: 22/09/2026

Decided at meeting: 22/09/2026 - Cabinet

Accompanying Documents: