Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Built Environment

Resolved that:

1. The Assessment Tool and Matrix for determining the eligibility for rent subsidies of properties let by Cheltenham Borough Council to third sector, voluntary and community groups be approved.
   
   
2. Authority be delegated to the Head Of Property and Asset Management in negotiation with the Cabinet Member Built Environment to adopt the framework for assessing subsidy levels as per Appendix 5 subject to any amendments following a consultation period with the Voluntary Community Sector.

The Cabinet Member Built Environment introduced the report which had been circulated with the agenda. He explained that the Council had, over many years, entered into a variety of property letting arrangements with the voluntary or “third sector”, sometimes providing grant assistance or preferential tenancy terms. Increasingly the council was being asked to consider similar arrangements for community based organisations on a subsidised basis rather than at “best consideration”. A more consistent, transparent and streamlined process had been developed to facilitate officer negotiations by the development of an assessment tool and matrix outlined in appendix A.

He wished to reassure community and voluntary organisations that it was not the council’s intention to start charging them all market rates but it was important to recognise the contribution the council was making to these organisation’s finances. The council had a duty to its council tax payers to ensure that real community benefits resulted from any concessions the council granted.

Members supported the assessment tool outlined in the report and welcomed the more scientific approach which would take out the subjective element of the process.   It would also require the organisations concerned to have a clearer business plan and in reviewing any concessions the council would ensure that the organisation was supporting the priorities for the town.

The Leader added that Leadership Gloucestershire had selected asset management across the county as a key topic and he himself was leading on this initiative.

Resolved that:

1. The Assessment Tool and Matrix for determining the eligibility for rent subsidies of properties let by Cheltenham Borough Council to third sector, voluntary and community groups be approved.
   
   
2. Authority be delegated to the Head Of Property and Asset Management in negotiation with the Cabinet Member Built Environment to adopt the framework for assessing subsidy levels as per Appendix 5 subject to any amendments following a consultation period with the Voluntary Community Sector.