Issue - meetings

Councillor Patel submits a report setting out for approval a proposal to secure a property in the St Matthew’s Area, to assist with the implementation of Sure Start.

Councillor Patel submitted a report setting out for approval a proposal to secure a property in the St. Matthew's area, to assist with the implementation of Sure Start.  It was noted that a site had been identified on St. Matthew's which was suitable for the construction of premises to house the initiative and National Children's Homes, a registered charity, had agreed to hold any lease granted in respect of this site, to organise the design and build of the scheme and be the accountable body for the channelling of Central Government funds for the initiative.  It was proposed that National Children's Homes be granted a lease for a term of 99 years on a nominal rent basis.  It was noted that normal policy was not to grant leases as less than best consideration and where the Council wished to support a group or project by paying for the cost of accommodation, the appropriate department normally did so by grant funding to cover the rental cost.  However an exception was recommended in this case as the National Children's Homes was only taking a lease to enable funding to be drawn down for the construction of the premises.  The premises would then be used to deliver services to vulnerable children, many of which would be Council services.

It was also noted that there were a number of issues surrounding the Sure Start Initiative which had not yet been determined and therefore it was requested that authority be delegated to the Director in consultation with the Cabinet Lead on Finance and Resources to agree any additional terms to be included in the lease.

RESOLVED:

(1)that approval be given for the City Council to enter into a lease with National Children's Homes on the terms detailed in the report; and

(2)that the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead on Finance and Resources, be authorised to agree any additional terms to the lease that may be required arising from outstanding issues.