Purpose

The current leaseholder of 60/61 Church Street in Harwich decided to assign the lease to a new tenant.
All of the checks of the new tenant and due diligence have been carried out.

Decision

To agree and complete the assignment of the lease.

Alternative options considered

On 7th September 2026, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced in Parliament that a review of the Local Government Reorganisation programme was commencing and that the decision made in March 2026 for Greater Essex (and other areas) had been withdrawn in light of new legal advice. Following this announcement, local authorities received correspondence from the Minister of Housing, Communities and Local Government requesting that until this review has concluded, Councils cease work on implementing the decisions that have previously been announced. The timetable for completion of the review is unknown at this time.
This proposal is not impacted by MHCLG’s request, as it supports the Council’s effective asset management.