Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Director of Environmental & Community Services on the findings of an independent report, commissioned by the District Council, into the most effective way to find a viable future for Huntingdon Town Hall.

Noted the findings of E W Consultancy (EWC) Ltd on the long-term sustainable use of Huntingdon Town Hall.  Accepted their key recommendations including the principle of transferring the ownership of the freehold of Huntingdon Town Hall to an appropriate Building Preservation Trust when a long term solution has been identified through a options appraisal and subject to appropriate arrangements for the surrender of the current lease; supported the suggestion by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) to investigate the possibility of transferring the building to Huntingdon Town Council in exchange for land currently owned by them  and requested further reports addressing the above issues.

Consideration was given to a report by the Director of Environmental and Community Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a report by E W Consultancy (EWC) Ltd setting out potential project management arrangements, including an action plan, for the long-term sustainable use of Huntingdon Town Hall. 

In noting the background to the report, Members were reminded that the Town Hall was a Grade 2* listed building which the District Council holds the freehold ownership in trust for the "public good" of the people of Huntingdon.  Leasehold including responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of the building lies with Her Majesty's Court Service (Ministry of Justice), as successors of the County Council, except for the second floor which is occupied by the Town Council.  Her Majesty Courts Service had vacated the building in 2007.  In view of the importance of the building, the District Council commissioned a review, including consultation with stakeholders to identify recommendations for the future arrangements for the building.

Having considered the proposals put forward by EWC, the financial implications; the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) and Huntingdon Town Council on the matter; the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the findings of the Consultant's report be noted;

  (b)  that the key recommendations of EWC consultancy, as set out in paragraphs 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6 of the report now submitted be accepted for implementation including the principle of transferring the ownership of the freehold of Huntingdon Town Hall to a Building Preservation Trust when a long term solution has been identified through a options appraisal, subject to appropriate arrangements for the surrender of the current lease; and

  (c)  that, in parallel,  the suggestion by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) to investigate the possibility of transferring the building to Huntingdon Town Council in exchange for land currently owned by them be investigated;

  (d)  that further reports addressing the above issues be submitted to future meetings of the Cabinet.

To receive a report by the Director of Environmental and Community Services on the future of Huntingdon Town Hall.

With the assistance of a report by the Director of Environmental and Community Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel was acquainted with the contents of an independent report, which had been commissioned by the District Council into the future use of Huntingdon Town Hall, and included a number of recommendations and a suggested project plan.

Members were advised that the District Council owned the freehold of the Grade 2* listed building. However, Her Majesty’s Court Service (HMCS) was in possession of a 999 year lease for the ground and first floors, which meant that HMCS was responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the building. The Town Council, although having no formal lease, occupied the top floor. Discussions between the District Council and the occupiers were ongoing to seek a practical and viable way to secure the fabric of the building and to identify appropriate uses for it.

In response to Members’ questions, the Director of Environmental and Community Services explained that the building had been maintained by the leaseholder and that the Council, under the current arrangements, had no maintenance liabilities. In discussing the extent to which HMCS had complied with its maintenance obligations under the terms of the lease, Members were informed that specialists had ascertained that the building was not in a condition that would mean enforcement action was required by the Council under Planning and Listed Building legislation. The Panel also noted that it was likely that English Heritage would require any future owner to retain some of the internal court space. This, coupled with the fact that the Council held the building in trust for the benefit of local people, meant that alternative, income generating uses were limited. In addition, it had been estimated that in the region of £2,000,000 would be required to improve and modernise the premises to make them suitable for public uses. However, potential sources of funding were identified in the report by EWC.

Members were advised that the formation of a Building Preservation Trust (BPT) had proved to be best practice in other parts of the country for dealing with premises such as the one in question. A BPT would have access to grant funding schemes, which were not available to a local authority.  As a result the Panel supported the proposal to establish a steering group to oversee the possible transfer of the building to a BPT. The Panel, however, suggested that, owing to Huntingdon Town Council’s interest in the building, the Cabinet should investigate the possibility of exchanging the Town Hall for land currently in the ownership of the Town Council. This would ensure the District Council had achieved the best possible return for the loss of the ownership of the building. In addition, the view was expressed that should the decision be taken to transfer the Town Hall to a BPT, the terms of the transfer should include provision for the ownership of the building  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36