Issue - meetings

This report recommends the Council grants a long lease of the former Wells Community Centre site to Epsom Wells Community Association (EWCA) to support their proposals for community use of the site by this association.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the Business Case, “Reimagining The Wells Centre” attached at Appendix 1 to the report as provided by Epsom Wells Community Association (EWCA).

(2)      Approve the grant of a Full Repairing & Insuring lease to EWCA of up to 125 years (subject to terms and conditions as set out in Appendix 2 to the report); to enable them to operate a community use from the former Wells Community Centre site (such lease term of up to 125 years to comply with the requirements of Your Fund Surrey and / or National Lottery bid criteria).

(3)      Agree a two year rent free period from the grant of the lease and thereafter, a rental reflecting a percentage of operating profit.  The two year rent free period will provide EWCA the opportunity to secure their funding arrangements, undertake the initial works and open the Wells Centre.

(4)      In the event that the Centre becomes financially unviable after expiry of the two year rent free period or subsequently closes for a continuous period of 6 months, agree that the lease will terminate and the site will revert back to the Council.

(5)      Note that the Council and EWCA will be responsible for their own legal costs.

(6)      Authorise the Head of Property & Regeneration, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and Chair and Vice Chair of S&R Committee to progress the necessary legal documentation to completion.

The Committee received a report recommending that the Council grants a long lease of the former Wells Community Centre site to Epsom Wells Community Association (EWCA) to support their proposals for community use of the site by this association.

The following matter was considered:

a)            Thanks to EWCA. Members of the Committee expressed their thanks to the Epsom Wells Community Association for their work to produce the business case for the Wells centre, which was attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the Business Case, “Reimagining The Wells Centre” attached at Appendix 1 to the report as provided by Epsom Wells Community Association (EWCA).

(2)      Approve the grant of a Full Repairing & Insuring lease to EWCA of up to 125 years (subject to terms and conditions as set out in Appendix 2 to the report); to enable them to operate a community use from the former Wells Community Centre site (such lease term of up to 125 years to comply with the requirements of Your Fund Surrey and / or National Lottery bid criteria).

(3)      Agree a two year rent free period from the grant of the lease and thereafter, a rental reflecting a percentage of operating profit.  The two year rent free period will provide EWCA the opportunity to secure their funding arrangements, undertake the initial works and open the Wells Centre.

(4)      In the event that the Centre becomes financially unviable after expiry of the two year rent free period or subsequently closes for a continuous period of 6 months, agree that the lease will terminate and the site will revert back to the Council.

(5)      Note that the Council and EWCA will be responsible for their own legal costs.

(6)      Authorise the Head of Property & Regeneration, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and Chair and Vice Chair of S&R Committee to progress the necessary legal documentation to completion.