Agenda and decisions

Decision Schedule 

TO ALL MEMBERS OF NEWPORT CITY COUNCIL          

Decision Schedule published on 28 August 2015

The Cabinet Member took the following decision on 26 August 2015. It will become effective at Noon on 7 September with the exception of any particular decision(s), which is (are) the subject of a valid "call-in".

The deadline for submission of a ‘Call-in’ request form is 4.00 pm on 4 September 2015.

Information relating to the ‘Call-in’ process can be found via Democratic Services.

P&BC 10/15

Maindee Library

Options Considered/Reasons for Decision

Within the current Library review Maindee Library was due to be surplus to requirements.  The Community of Maindee; through their Councillors, have developed an approach based around taking over Maindee Library as a Community Asset on licence for the next 18 months, with a view of a longer term arrangement if the community asset transfer bid is successful (99 year lease), which would allow for a £800k capital investment and £500k revenue investment into the building.

Maindee Unlimited, a registered charity whose aim is to regenerate Maindee, have approached the Council to ask for a licence for 18 months in order to run a number of pilot community programmes and to develop a full bid to Community Asset Transfer application (Big Lottery).  This would mean the Council providing Zero rent and maintaining internal and external maintenance for a further 18 months at a maximum of £2500 per annum (£3750 total).

It was important to state at the outset that the building remaining open for an extended period was only predicated on the basis of the bid. The potential opening date for the Maindee Community Facility was 1 October 2015.

The interim business case set out a number of key objectives for the use of the building including:

§  Establishing a new community space – Within Maindee Library

§  Supporting local businesses in Maindee District centre – providing support through the facility

§  Improving the street environment – working on the perception of Maindee Library  

§  Increasing and improving green space provision – offering projects

§  Reducing fuel poverty and energy use – offering support and projects

These were currently the core principles of the Interim Business case and provided a strong picture of the steps Maindee Unlimited are taking during the 18 month period.

Decision

To offer an 18 month licence to Maindee Unlimited and continue the maintenance budget with a payment of up to £3750, with an in principle agreement to pass the building to Maindee Unlimited on a longer term lease basis if the Community Asset transfer bid was successful.

Consultation

Monitoring Officer, Head of Finance, Head of People & Transformation and Ward Members

All Members were consulted and provided with an opportunity to comment.  Any comments received and responses thereafter are set out in the report.

Implemented  ...  view the full decision text for item 1.