Purpose

Adding the council owned premises at 28 Calvert Avenue to the Community Premises Portfolio (CPP)

Decision

1. APPROVED the addition of 28 Calvert Avenue, occupied by the Boundary Estate Community Launderette (BECL), to the Community Premises Portfolio on a temporary and personal basis until such time as BECL ceases to provide not-for-profit launderette services or vacates the property. 
2. Noted the specific equalities considerations as set out in section 4. 

Reasons for the decision

•         The Boundary Estate Community Launderette (BECL) has operated as a not-for-profit organisation since the early 1990s, despite not being a not-for profit legal entity. 

•         The property they occupy at 28 Calvert Avenue is part of the HRA retail portfolio, not in the Community Premises Portfolio (CPP) and therefore a market rent for retail use is applicable. 

•         BECL cannot afford a retail market rent and therefore would be unable to continue with their affordable, below market cost laundry services. Adding this property, with some personal conditions, to the CPP allows the community rent to be applied, with the possibility of Community Benefit Rent Reduction.

•         This allows BECL to continue their work in providing local and affordable laundry services, and in supporting the reduction of damp and mould in homes on and around the Boundary Estate. They are open 6 days a week, from around 9am to around 6pm, including Saturday and Sunday.

Alternative options

•         Continue with previous lease process- to secure market rent on commercial terms (not a community use rent). BECL are unlikely to be able to afford this. If so, the property reverts to council and will be remarketed on commercial terms. BECL is likely to close with reputational damage to the Council.

•         Council takes possession by ending the current tenancy and markets the premises for retail use at market value. 

•         Do nothing- BECL remains on the current tenancy at will. Not in line with policy and does not provide stability for BECL to apply for longer term grant funding.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR FOR HOUSING & REGENERATION (D.JOYCE)