Purpose

Overview
The granting of new leases to existing providers supports a range of Council objectives and safeguards the delivery of library and community services across the whole of Lincolnshire.

Current Lease Arrangements
The above libraries have all previously been leased to providers on similar 10-year leases, which have expired this year. Tenants are currently holding over pending the completion of new leases to be effective from 1 April 2026. This is the same term and commencement date as the award of the Library Contract.

The proposed new leases will contain similar lease terms to previous leases and will be consistent for all libraries.

Proposed New Lease Terms
Property: new lease for each of the above 27 library premises
Landlord: Lincolnshire County Council
Tenant: in the case of above Tranche 1 libraries, the tenant is Greenwich Leisure Ltd. In the case of Tranche 2 libraries, the tenant is a local community group, Parish Council, voluntary group or church Lease Term: 10 years
Lease Date: effective from 1 April 2026
Rent: new rent to be set at peppercorn provided that library service delivery is continued. Peppercorn rent is £1 pa (if demanded)
Break Clause: both parties shall benefit from the option to break the lease after 5 years of the term
Permitted Use: permitted Use restricted to library use together with other community uses to support the continued delivery of a library service
Repair obligations: tenant is responsible in general for internal repairs, cleaning and decoration. The County Council retains responsibility for the external and structural repairs.

Responsibilities
The tenant shall:
• Comply with all the requirements of the Fire Service and be responsible for fire alarms, firefighting equipment, and associated items required at the premises
• Be responsible for the proper storage and removal of refuse
• Not erect any signage without consent
• Not sub-let the premises
• Not make structural alterations
• Take out adequate public liability, employers, and contents insurance
• Pay the cost of all services, water, gas and electricity, phones and other service media charges, rates and taxes and all other outgoings in respect of the property

The recommendation therefore is that new leases to the current occupying tenants of the above libraries be granted subject to the terms proposed above.

Legal Considerations
The new leases will each contain a restriction on permitted use of the property for library use only together with ancillary use for community services and activities benefitting the community that are traditionally delivered by public authority bodies.

Local Government Reorganisation
Potential LGR outcomes have been given consideration in relation to this proposal, and it has been determined that there is no impact or reason identified as to why the granting of new leases to existing providers cannot be completed prior to the LGR outcome being confirmed.

Decision

To undertake lease renewals at the following library properties: -

Tranche 1 – all tenanted by Greenwich Leisure Ltd.
Gainsborough Cobden Street DN21 2NG Grantham Isaac Newton Centre NG31 6EE Lincoln Free School Lane LN2 1EZ
Louth Northgate LN11 0LY Skegness 23 Roman Bank PE25 2SA
Sleaford 13 to 16 Market Place NG34 7SR Spalding Victoria St PE11 1EA
Stamford High St PE9 2BB Horncastle Wharf Rd LN9 5HL
Long Sutton Trafalgar Square PE12 9HD Market Rasen Mill Road LN8 3BP
Woodhall Spa 2 Station Road LN10 6QL Boston County Hall PE21 6DY

Tranche 2
Cherry Willingham The Parade LN3 4JL - Lease to The Vine Community Church
Crowland Hall St PE6 0EW – Lease to Crowland Community Hub Steering Group
Donington 25 High Street PE11 4TA – Lease to Donington Parish Council Keelby Victoria Road DN41 8EH – Lease to Keelby Community Voluntary
Services
North Hykeham Lexicon House Stephenson Rd LN6 3QU – Lease to Greenwich Leisure Ltd.
Lincoln Birchwood LN6 0NA – Lease to Ignite Elim Trust
Lincoln Ermine LN2 2BT – Lease to Bishop Grosseteste University Lincoln Boultham Park LN6 7ST – Lease to Ignite Elim Trust
Market Deeping The Park PE6 8ED – Lease to Deepings Community Trust
Nettleham 1 East Street LN2 2SL – Lease to Nettleham Community Hub
Pinchbeck 48 Knight Street PE11 3RU – Lease to Pinchbeck Parish Council
Ruskington Station Road NG34 9DD – Lease to Ruskington Parish Community Library Charitable Organisation
Sutton-on-Sea Broadway LN12 2JN – Lease to Sutton-on-Sea Library and Community Hub CIC
Wragby Millbrook Lane LN8 5AB – Lease to Wragby Community Group

Total = 27 properties

Alternative options considered

Do not grant new leases. The premises would revert to Lincolnshire County Council with responsibility falling to the County Council to deliver library services from the buildings or to close the library. This has been rejected as the County does not have the resources to deliver library services nor does it wish to see the libraries close with the impact this would have on local communities.