Issue - meetings

Background:

This report provided details of a proposal to declare surplus 46 Green Street site including the Adult Education Service and five garages in Dawes Street.

It was reported that the property had been used as an Adult Education Centre for many years and that 46 Green Street had originally formed part of the centre, with a number of the buildings’ services shared between the buildings. Members were advised that the Adult Education Centre was no longer considered fit for purpose due to its age, layout, and general lack of facilities appropriate for current and anticipated learning provision.

The report and an addendum report tabled at the meeting provided information on the proposals and how existing services would be delivered in the future.

In response to a question from another Member of the Cabinet the Portfolio Holder for Finance advised that in relation to Home-Start Medway, who occupied three ground floor rooms at the rear of 46 Green Street under an internal repairing periodic tenancy, that this tenancy had security of tenure protection. They had expressed interest in the vacant first floor offices and were willing to take a 5-year lease ‘contracted out’ of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. A one-month rent-free period was proposed to reflect internal alteration works to be undertaken by Home-Start prior to occupation. The lease was to include a mutual break option on one-year’s notice.

Reasons:

In order to reduce revenue costs, improve service delivery, realise capital receipts and gain investment in the Medway area.