Purpose

This report puts forward proposals to address the current
position at Cotleigh Road, premises that are occupied by West
Hampstead Women’s Centre (WHWC).
 
The report and proposals seek to address a series of historic
issues, including rent arrears which stand at £200,610.05,
but which have arisen as a result of complex set of circumstances,
for which no single party can be held fully responsible.
 
The proposals set out seek to offer a pragmatic resolution to a
long standing issue that considers both the council’s
financial interests and our over-arching commitments to the
community. The proposals seek to put in place conditions that
minimise the risk of a situation like this arising in the
future.
 

Content

THAT the Executive Director of Corporate Services
agrees:
 
1.   
the Council offers WHWC the new Voluntary Community Sector
Lease now available as a result of the VCS rents and
leases policy adopted by Cabinet in January 2023, subject to WHWC
surrendering their current commercial lease.
 
2.   
the Council to make internal arrangements for the remaining
£142,440.05 debt to be written-off, subject to WHWC paying
£58,170 of the outstanding arrears.