Issue - meetings

To consider the transfer of the Community Centre to Macclesfield Town Council.

1.    To approve the disposal of Weston Community Centre to Macclesfield Town Council by way of a freehold transfer for a nominal value, on the terms stated in para 3.4 of the report and other terms to be agreed by the Assets Manager in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and Director of Legal Services.

2.    To authorise the Director of Legal Services to enter into and sign all necessary documents to give effect to those agreements reached.

Macclesfield Town Council was created in April 2015 as a result of Reorganisation of Community Governance (Macclesfield) Order 2015, in which a number of assets, including Weston Community Centre were identified for transfer.   The process for the transfer was a separate process by virtue of The Local Government (Parishes and Parish Councils) (England) Regulations 2008 and also falls in line with the Council’s general approach to asset transfer and the Cabinet paper dated 12 July 2016 which sets out the framework for disposal of assets by the Council.

Cheshire East Council is committed to delivering services tailored to its individual communities and Weston Community Centre is a community building which caters for the different aspects of the community within Macclesfield.  Macclesfield Town Council would ensure that this asset is sustainable and work with the local community to provide the right services, in the right places, at the right times.  It would take on full accountability for all aspects of the transfer including all running costs and existing bookings.

The Portfolio Holder reported that the local ward members were in favour of the transfer but that Councillor Nick Mannion had contacted him concerning the current poor state of repair of the kitchen; in response to his enquiry it was confirmed that unfortunately no additional finance available for this work.

RESOLVED

1.    That approval be given to the disposal of Weston Community Centre to Macclesfield Town Council by way of a freehold transfer for a nominal value, on the terms stated in para 3.4 of the report and other terms to be agreed by the Assets Manager in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and Director of Legal Services.

2.    That the Director of Legal Services be authorised to enter into and sign all necessary documents to give effect to those agreements reached.