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Agenda item

CHARNWOOD HOUSE, HITCHIN

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR – ENTERPRISE

 

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 2026 by the Executive Member for Enterprise approved the re-marketing of Charnwood House on a long lease to organisations with the vision and expertise to transform it into a thriving community asset. 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 Member for Enterprise in consultation with the Director of Enterprise.

 

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.

Minutes:

Audio recording – 1 hour 09 minutes 05 seconds

 

Councillor Tamsin Thomas, as Executive Member for Enterprise, presented the report entitled ‘Charnwood House, Hitchin’ and highlighted that:

 

·       Charnwood House was the former site of the Hitchin Museum and was gifted to the Council for public benefit. Since the relocation of the museum, the site had been used as storage and then vacated ahead of exploration of longer term use.

·       Applications were now being sought from organisations with vision and capacity to deliver a community asset at the site.

·       The successful proposal should create opportunities for community activity and have a positive impact on, not only Hitchin, but the wider district.

·       All proposals would be assessed fairly on specific aspects, which were outlined in the application form.

 

The following Members asked questions:

 

·       Councillor Donna Wright

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

·       Councillor Amy Allen

·       Councillor Mick Debenham

 

In response to questions, the Executive Member for Enterprise advised that:

 

·       An application form had been developed which was clear as to what the assessment criteria would be.

·       The aim of this was to find the best, and most viable, long-term option for the community.

·       The length of the lease reflected the requirement of whoever was successful needing to attract grant funding in order to complete works on the site. Therefore, a guarantee of tenure would be required to open up these funding opportunities.

·       The Council had allocated £400k towards capital repairs on the site, but this would not be sufficient for the works required and therefore the successful organisation would need to seek match funding from grants.

·       Some works had been carried out by the Council, including removal of asbestos and ensuring the building was weathertight. However, there remained around £360k of the allocated budget available. This would help support the future tenant to attract grant funding.

·       The application deadline was in October 2026, but there had been goon early engagement with the advertising process and there was clear interest and desire within the community to see the building used productively.

·       The company running the advertising have been chosen for the experience in this area and have done similar work with properties in Luton.

 

Councillor Tamsin Thomas proposed to approve the recommendations and this was seconded by Councillor Mick Debenham.

 

As part of the debate, Councillor Ian Albert thanked Councillor Thomas and the Enterprise team for their work on this exciting prospect. He noted that recommendation 2.3 was important, as it was not just about achieving a commercial rent, but about providing a suitable community use. The money set aside to support required works was a significant contribution towards the work which will be needed, and would assist with the successful option seeking grant funding.

 

Having been proposed and seconded and following a vote, it was:

 

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.

 

N.B. Following the conclusion of this item, there was a break in proceedings and the meeting reconvened at 21.01.

Supporting documents: