Purpose

To approve a lease for the new East Barnwell Community Centre to Abbey People for a 25-year lease term at a nil rent.

Content

Record of Executive
Decision

 

East Barnwell Regeneration Scheme - Urgent Decision
Briefing Paper

Decision of: Councillor Simon Smith,
Executive Councillor for Strategy and Resources

 

Reference:
24/URGENCYS&R/15

 

Date of decision: 18/11/2024

 

Date Published on website:19/11/24      

 

Decision Type: Key

 

Matter for Decision: To approve a lease for
the new East Barnwell Community Centre to Abbey
People for a 25-year lease term at a nil rent.

 

Why the Decision had to be made (and any
alternative options):

This decision is required in advance of this date and out of cycle due
to:

1.    The complexity and urgency of legal agreements that must be
finalised for the scheme to be able to proceed without causing contracting
delays

2.    Delays to the programme and the risk and potential for
increased costs for construction arising from this

3.    Delays to the programme causing potential further risk to
obtaining Homes England grant funding.

The complexity arises because the lease of the community centre must be
compatible with the parallel lease to the County Council for the pre-school and
the library which sits in the same building as the community centre,
and shares communal areas.

The terms of the lease and a land transfer are required to fall under
one agreement for construction to commence, which is currently anticipated for
early December 2024, to facilitate a ‘start on site’ in January 2025.

The Executive Councillor’s decision:

 

Approved a lease for the new East Barnwell
Community Centre to Abbey People for a 25-year lease term at a nil rent.

 

Reason for the decision: As detailed in Document 241118 Out of Cycle Decision: Approval of lease for
the new East Barnwell Community Centre to Abbey People - Cambridge Council

 

Scrutiny Consideration: The Chair and
Spokesperson of Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee were consulted prior
to the action being authorised.

 

Report: Document 241118 Out of Cycle Decision: Approval of lease for
the new East Barnwell Community Centre to Abbey People - Cambridge Council

 

Conflict of interest: None.

 

Comments: The Chair and Opposition
Spokespersons were supportive of this urgent decision.