Decision details

To update the Executive regarding a proposal from St John’s Church Locks Heath regarding the future of Locks Heath Memorial Hall.

At the September 2017 Executive meeting, members considered a report regarding the future of Locks Heath Memorial Hall.

The Council had, in January 2016, been made aware that the Locks Heath Community Association only had one remaining trustee who, at that time, wanted to stand down from the position.  The implication for this was that the Association would be in default of the lease and there would be nobody to operate and manage the building.

Following unsuccessful efforts to find new Trustees, arrangements were made to relocate the remaining user groups.

After considering the report, the Executive agreed that the Hall was surplus to the Council’s requirements and was to be placed on the open market for sale.

Since the Executive agreed to dispose of the Locks Heath Memorial Hall, St John’s Church has come forward and stated that its interest in the Hall was not considered.  The purpose of this report is to provide an opportunity for that interest to be considered now, including its future business plan.

RESOLVED that, having considered the business plan for Locks Heath Memorial Hall proposed by St John’s Church, as appended to these minutes, the Executive agrees that:

(a)  the previous decision made by the Executive to sell the site on the open market should not be reconsidered but that the church of St John the Baptist, Locks Heath be invited to submit its best and final offer for the purchase of the site by 30 September; and

(b)  the land be sold under the direction of the Director of Finance and Resources, following consultation with the Executive Member for Policy and Resources.