Meeting documents

Cabinet received a report in relation to the extension of the current lease held by the Chalfont Community Association from its expiry on 24 February 2025 for a further 99 years until 24 February 2124 including an option to extend the lease for a further 15 years until 24 February 2139. The Association wish to redevelop the community centre on the site (subject to grant of planning permission) and require an extension of their current lease term.

RESOLVED

1.    That Chalfont Community Association’s current lease be extended from its expiry on 24 February 2025 for a further 99 years until 24 February 2124 including an option to extend the lease for a further 15 years until 24 February 2139.

2.    That part of the Chalfont St Peter Parish Council’s demise be surrendered and this land added to the Community Association’s demise.

3.    That the Head of Environment be authorised to approve the terms of the legal agreements required to effect the lease extension with the Community Association and the surrender with the Parish Council in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and the Director of Resources.

4.    That the Head of Environment be authorised to publish any open space notice disposal notices pursuant to Section 123(2A) for two consecutive weeks. Should any objections be received for disposal of open space, the Head of Environment be authorised to consider any objections and decide whether to proceed with the open space disposal in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and Director of Resources.

Cabinet received a report in relation to the extension of the current lease held by the Chalfont Community Association from its expiry on 24 February 2025 for a further 99 years until 24 February 2124 including an option to extend the lease for a further 15 years until 24 February 2139. The Association wish to redevelop the community centre on the site (subject to grant of planning permission) and require an extension of their current lease term.

The extension of the lease would enable access to funding streams for the construction/redevelopment of the site. The longer period would enable the tenant to discount the capital cost of the build over the period of the lease. The inclusion of the parcel of land currently in the tenancy of Chalfont St Peter Parish Council would provide an improved layout.

Since publication of the report a request had been received to reduce the charge of annual rent from £5500 per annum to £500 per annum. Officers believed that at this stage there was no justification to agree to the reduction which would also require consultation with the Shadow Executive of Buckinghamshire Council.

Cabinet was in agreement that the main issue was to extend the lease and should the community association wish to attempt to negotiate the rent it could enter into negotiations with the new authority post April 2020.

Councillor J Rush emphasised that the community centre provided a valuable service and amenity to the community which he would continue to support.

Comments were welcomed from non-cabinet members. Councillor J Wertheim explained that the request for reduced rent was made due to the rental amount in comparison to the community associations annual turnover, which was approximately 5.5%. Councillor Wertheim recorded his thanks to the council’s estates and legal departments for their patience and advice in producing the renewed lease.

Councillor P Jones highlighted that the car park would remain the responsibility of the Council to upkeep and questioned whether the community association could negotiate a lower rent on the basis they maintained the car park. It was noted that recommendation 3 covered a delegation for officers to approve the final terms of the lease.

 

RESOLVED

1.    That Chalfont Community Association’s current lease be extended from its expiry on 24 February 2025 for a further 99 years until 24 February 2124 including an option to extend the lease for a further 15 years until 24 February 2139.

2.    That part of the Chalfont St Peter Parish Council’s demise be surrendered and this land added to the Community Association’s demise.

3.    That the Head of Environment be authorised to approve the terms of the legal agreements required to effect the lease extension with the Community Association and the surrender with the Parish Council in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and the Director of Resources.

4.    That the Head of Environment be authorised to publish any open space notice disposal notices pursuant to Section 123(2A) for two consecutive weeks. Should any objections be received for disposal of open space, the Head of Environment be authorised to consider any objections and decide whether to proceed with the open space disposal in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and Director of Resources.