Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE INTERIM PROPERTY CONSULTANT

To consider the declaration of the land at Royston Town Hall Annexe as surplus to the District Council's requirements.

RESOLVED:

(1)     That redevelopment options to replace the existing annexe building and redevelop for alternative uses be noted;

(2)     That following full negotiations with interested parties, including Royston Town Council, terms of any agreed transaction and form of development should be presented to the Cabinet for approval;

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)     To provide additional rental income for the District Council.

(2)     To reduce ongoing maintenance costs for this property

(3)     To bring a valuable town centre asset into full economic use.

Audio recording – Session1 – 1 hour 8 minutes 5 seconds and Session 2 – 9 seconds

Councillor Carol Stanier declared a declarable interest in that she was a Member of Royston Town Council. She advised that she would speak under the Councillor speaking rights and then leave the room and take no part on the debate or vote.

Councillor Stanier moved to the public speakers chair.

The Executive Member for Enterprise and Cooperative Development presented the addendum report entitled Royston Town Hall Annexe Site together with the following appendix:

·                Appendix A - Location Plan of Royston Town Hall.

Councillor Carol Stanier informed Members that:

·                Royston Town Council had a repairing lease on the annexe;

·                They currently used the building, which held the Clerk’s office and meeting rooms;

·                It was unclear how the Clerk could continue without access to the office;

·                The meeting rooms increased revenue for the Town Council therefore removing these rooms would reduce income;

·                The office and meeting rooms were in regular use;

·                The annexe was old and underutilised and the Town Council was reluctant to spend money on a building that they did not own;

·                Any development of the site should include an office and meeting rooms for Royston Town Council.

Councillor Stanier left the room.

The Part 2 report was considered, following which the meeting returned to Part 1 and it was:

RESOLVED:

(1)     That redevelopment options to replace the existing annexe building and redevelop for alternative uses be noted;

(2)     That following full negotiations with interested parties, including Royston Town Council, terms of any agreed transaction and form of development should be presented to the Cabinet for approval;

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)     To provide additional rental income for the District Council.

(2)     To reduce ongoing maintenance costs for this property

(3)     To bring a valuable town centre asset into full economic use.