Issue - items at meetings - Portslade Town Hall Site

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources (copy attached).

(1)         That Cabinet approves and authorises:

(a)       Appointment of an agent to undertake the open marketing of the site adjacent to Portslade Town Hall.

(b)       Disposal of the site on a long leasehold basis of 125 years at a premium and no   rental payment.

(c)       The use of the net proceeds to provide for reinvestment in Portslade Town Hall for community use and other corporate accommodation projects.

196.1          The Cabinet considered a report of the Strategic Director, Resources concerning proposals for the redevelopment of the Portslade Town Hall site.

196.2          Councillor Alford clarified that the report was complemented by a further report in the confidential part of the agenda due to the commercial and financial nature of some of the information; it was necessary for such information to remain private to ensure the council could achieve best value should the proposals be approved.

196.3          The Chairman invited Councillors Harmer-Strange and Hamilton to speak to their respective letters.

196.4          Councillor Harmer-Strange stated that he broadly welcomed the proposals and the much needed investment they would bring. He highlighted the work that had already begun and that required to bring the Town Hall back into full use. He raised concerns about the future of the bowling club and welcomed plans to investigate whether the main green could be squared to allow use in both directions and the possible extension of the pavilion. He noted further concerns about parking, the public toilets, the density of any housing development on the site and the position of the public footpath, but supported the refurbishment of the Town Hall to enable increased use as a community facility.

196.5          Councillor Hamilton stated that he was strongly opposed to the disposal as it would decrease usability of the site, which was already a community hub and this would suffer if parking was significantly reduced. He reported that he had met with the Chair of the bowling club who had raised concerns on behalf of club members; it was unlikely that the main green could be squared in the space available and the training green was essential to the continued existence of the club as its use reduced the wear and tear on the main green. He stated that the whole site was Portslade’s civic facility and that the needs of those who used to the site had not been adequately assessed.

196.6          The Chairman noted that similar circumstances surrounded the Whitehawk Co-location scheme and that disposal was sometimes necessary to guarantee the required level of investment.

196.7          Councillor Alford reported that rumours about the proposals had been circulating in the community, but confirmed that no important fixtures and fittings would be removed from the Town Hall. He advised that significant investment was needed to sustain the building, including a new kitchen, and that the future of the bowling club was a top priority along with exploring possibilities for increasing parking in the area. Disposal of the site would involve a thorough three-stage that could take a number of years, and there would be sufficient opportunity for community involvement in the plans as they progressed.

196.8          The Chairman advised that she had moved an informal meeting of the Cabinet to Portslade Town Hall to enable Members to appreciate the state of the building; attempts had been made to hold public council meetings in the building, but it did not have the necessary access to make it possible. Improvements would be made to the Town Hall building and bowling club site, and full consultation would take place before the remainder of the site was developed. She added that any housing planned on the site following disposal would need to fit the surrounding community.

196.9          Councillor Theobald noted that the Town Hall had received no investment for a number of years and that the aim was to improve the building for residents.

196.10      Councillor Simson welcomed the opportunity for improvement of important community facilities and the provision of space for community organisations.

196.11      Councillor Smith stated that he hoped it would prove possible to enable bowling in both directions on the main green and added that an extended pavilion would provide improved facilities for club members.

196.12      Councillor Young announced that the Mayor would be holding a charity event at the Town Hall to further demonstrate its significance to the city.

196.13      Councillor Fallon-Khan stated that the Town Hall was a magnificent building that had not been properly maintained for many years and that its regeneration would benefit the whole community.

196.14      RESOLVED – That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet accepted the following recommendations:

(1)         That approval and authorisation be given for:

(a)       Appointment of an agent to undertake the open marketing of the site adjacent to Portslade Town Hall.

(b)       Disposal of the site on a long leasehold basis of 125 years at a premium and no rental payment.

(c)       The use of the net proceeds to provide for reinvestment in Portslade Town Hall for community use and other corporate accommodation projects.