Youth Provision in Hale, Farnham : Executive on 08/11/2005

Waverley Borough Council Committee System - Committee Document

Meeting of the Executive held on 08/11/2005
Youth Provision in Hale, Farnham

Summary & Purpose

This report seeks members’ approval to the disposition of insurance monies receivable in connection with the destruction of the Upper Hale Youth Club, Sandy Hill. It is proposed that the monies should be put towards the provision of Youth Facilities in the former Hale School Caretaker’s Bungalow, which is owned by Surrey County Council. This report considers means by which Waverley’s interest in these monies can be secured for the future.

APPENDIX O

Waverley Borough Council

EXECUTIVE – 8TH nOVEMBER 2005

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Title:

YOUTH PROVISION IN HALE, FARNHAM

[Ward Affected: Farnham Upper Hale]

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Note pursuant to Section 100B(5) of the Local Government Act 1972

An annexe to this report contains exempt information by virtue of which the public is likely to be excluded during the item to which the report relates, as specified in Paragraph 9 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, namely:-

Any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.

Summary and purpose:

This report seeks members’ approval to the disposition of insurance monies receivable in connection with the destruction of the Upper Hale Youth Club, Sandy Hill. It is proposed that the monies should be put towards the provision of Youth Facilities in the former Hale School Caretaker’s Bungalow, which is owned by Surrey County Council. This report considers means by which Waverley’s interest in these monies can be secured for the future.

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Environmental implications:

The former Upper Hale Youth Club was situated on land within Thames Basin Healthlands Special Protection Area (SPA), though it has been seriously degraded over the years. It was set back from the road and isolated from the community.

The proposed Youth Provision is within the built environment and will not adversely affect its surroundings.

Social/community implications:

The Hale Bungalow is providing services for the community of Hale, including the Sandy Hill estate, which is one of the most deprived areas in Waverley. However, the premises are proving to be inadequate for the demand of local groups. SCC, in partnership with Pavilion Housing, is therefore aiming to refurbish and extend the existing building to provide a range of facilities and space for local community groups and projects to access.

E-Government implications:

There are no e-government implications in this report.

Resource and legal implications:

The proposal will ensure that the insurance monies receivable for the Youth Club will continue to be used for provision of youth facilities in this area of Farnham.

Surrey County Council (SCC) proposes that a charity would run the facility on its behalf. Waverley will need to be reassured that any such charity is robust and adequately funded, otherwise costs for this could be placed on Waverley in later years.

Waverley may also want to be certain that the charity is set up in such a way as not to affect the use or value of the property. This will probably require the services of a specialist legal adviser acting on Waverley’s behalf.

The terms of any lease to the charity may need scrutinising to ensure that Waverley’s interest is protected. A long lease for a peppercorn that does not restrict assignment to a charity will undermine the value of the freehold.

Waverley would be expected to have a representative on the Board of the charity running the project.

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Background

1. SCC has a lease of land at Sandy Hill, shown hatched on the plan at Annexe 1, that expires on 21/11/2007. As a condition of the lease, SCC constructed a youth and community centre. This building was destroyed by fire in 2001. SCC no longer wish to provide youth services in the same way as when the centre was built, and the position of the centre, situated as it is in an isolated and hidden position, is not considered suitable for this service. They have identified the former Hale School caretaker’s bungalow, shown outlined on the plan, as being more appropriate.

2. Waverley approved in April 2004, under its Community Partnerships Fund, to offer a grant of Ł30,000 to Pavilion Housing (as managers of the Project) for the conversion of the bungalow.

Recommendation

That the recommendation set out in the (Exempt) Annexe be agreed.

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Background Papers (DoPD)

There are no background papers (as defined by Section 100D(5) of the Local Government Act 1972) relating to this report.

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CONTACT OFFICER:

Name: A Rhodes Telephone: 01483 523459

E-mail: arhodes@waverley.gov.uk

Comms/exec/2005-06/169