The Trusts and Charities Committee were scheduled to meet to discuss a property update report, and to approve an updated scheme of delegation. The committee was also scheduled to confirm the minutes of a previous meeting, and to agree to exclude the public from part of the meeting.

Trusts and Charities Scheme of Delegation

The committee was scheduled to consider a report from Beth Brown, Director of Legal and Governance, regarding the Trusts and Charities Scheme of Delegation.

The report pack stated that it was proposed that the Trusts and Charities Scheme of Delegation be updated to effectively manage all properties held by the council under a charity or trust where the council is trustee.

The report included the following recommendations:

• To approve the Scheme of Delegation set out in appendix 1 to the report
• To note that all decisions taken in accordance with this Scheme will be made in compliance with the City Council’s Constitution and Financial Regulations
• To note that Governance Framework Document H of the Nottingham City Council’s Constitution will be updated to reflect the new Scheme of Delegation

The report stated that the scheme of delegation was last revised in July 2017 and is now out of date. It also noted that the council’s main scheme of delegation is also being revised, including the delegations relating to the property trading account.

The proposed revisions to the Scheme of Delegation would expand on the existing provisions providing greater clarity and efficiency for property decisions with continued regard to the principles of good estate management.

The Scheme of Delegation included in the report pack lists descriptions of Trust and Charity Land and Property, the legislation that applies to it, whether it is an executive or non-executive function, and the Officer(s) to whom the function is delegated.

The descriptions include:

• Assignment and Under lettings
• Approval of plans
• Claims under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967
• Authorisation of the grant of licences, wayleaves and easements
• Granting tenancies and leases of property for up to 20 years where rent does not exceed £75,000 per annum.
• Dilapidations and Surrender of Tenancies
• Notice and Review
• Variations of covenants
• Statutory Compensation to Tenants
• Sales
• Purchase
• Release of Covenants
• Planning
• Overdue Rent and Service Charge
• Rental Reductions
• Recovery of Land
• Instructions to Professional Property Advisors
• Re-letting and Disposal of property - Marketing costs and Agents fee
• Property Management

Bridge Estates Charity Property Update

The committee was scheduled to consider a report from Beverly Gouveia, Director of Economic Development & Property, regarding a property update for the Bridge Estates.

The report pack stated that the report would cover key property events that have taken place or are proposed for the Bridge Estate since the date of the last meeting.

The report included the following recommendations:

• That the Committee note the updates in the report and Appendix 1a relating to the individual Bridge Estate properties.
• That the Committee approves the recommended actions as set out in the Exempt Appendix 1b to the report

Appendix 1a to the report provided a schedule setting out the recent activity or proposed actions relating to the individual properties within the Bridge Estate portfolio.

The properties listed in the schedule were:

• 34 Lister Gate, NG1 7DD - Terms have been agreed with a prospective tenant for a tenancy with solicitors instructed.
• 38 Lister Gate - The premises are under-offer for lease with a prospective tenant.
• 24-30 Castle Gate, NG1 7AT - Terms have been agreed for the sale of the freehold interest, solicitors are progressing the matter to completion.
• Governor’s House & Judges Retiring Rooms, High Pavement, NG1 1HN - Terms for lease have been agreed with a prospective tenant, solicitors are instructed with the lease expected to complete shortly.
• 1 , 2 and 3 Floor Premises, Century House, 8 – 18 Chapel Bar, NG1 6JD - The premises are being marketed ‘To Let’ by HEB Surveyors.
• Former Eon Offices, Building 1, Woolsthorpe Close, Woolsthorpe Depot - The premises remain on the market available ‘To Let’ with Innes England.
• Ground Floor 5 Castle Bridge Office Village, Lawrence Way, NG7 1GE - The premises are marketed available ‘To Let’ by HEB Surveyors.
• 140 Vernon Road Old Basford NG6 0AD - The sale of the freehold interest has now completed.
• John Folman Business Centre, 31 Hungerhill Road, Nottingham NG3 4NB - Vacant suites are being marketed by FHP Property Consultants.

Minutes

The committee was scheduled to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 15 January 2025.