The Task and Finish Group - Lease Contracts of Horsham Council met to discuss the balance between community and commercial value in lease arrangements and to review the status of various council properties. The group agreed to document community benefits in lease arrangements and tasked officers with producing a list of assets within their service areas.

Lease Arrangements: Community vs Commercial Value

The group explored the balance between community and commercial value in lease arrangements. It was agreed that where there were community benefits to an arrangement, these should be documented. This decision aims to ensure that the community value of leases is recognised and preserved.

Asset List Compilation

The Head of Leisure and Culture and the Head of Housing and Communities were tasked with producing a list of assets within their service areas. This list will help the council better understand the scope and value of its assets, aiding in future decision-making.

Village Hall Leases

Officers were instructed to determine who is responsible for leases relating to village halls. This step is crucial for clarifying management responsibilities and ensuring that these community assets are properly maintained.

Property Information Update

The Head of Property and Facilities provided an update on the information requested at the previous meeting. She had collated information on five properties to be considered initially but noted a resourcing issue due to vacancies within her team. Interviews had been scheduled to address this, and she would update the Chair of the Group on when resources were expected to be available.

Next Meeting

It was agreed that the group would meet again in a month's time. In the interim, members of the group would be allocated properties to review.

For more details, you can refer to the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 April 2024.