In the interests of transparency, Councillors Amran and Watson disclosed that they had received communication from interested parties in relation to the item concerning the Former Allerton Library, 2-4 Greenbank Road, Allerton, Bradford (Minute 55).  They had not discussed the matter nor expressed a view and undertook to approach the issue with an open mind and to consider all the relevant material planning issues before making a decision.

ACTION:       City Solicitor

(Access to Information Procedure Rules – Part 3B of the Constitution)

Reports and background papers for agenda items may be inspected by contacting the person shown after each agenda item.  Certain reports and background papers may be restricted. 

Any request to remove the restriction on a report or background paper should be made to the relevant Strategic or Assistant Director whose name is shown on the front page of the report. 

If that request is refused, there is a right of appeal to this meeting. 

Please contact the officer shown below in advance of the meeting if you wish to appeal. 

(Sheila Farnhill - 01274 432268)

There were no appeals submitted by the public to review decisions to restrict documents. 

The Strategic Director, Corporate Resources will present a report (Document “AB”) in respect of the proposed disposal of the former Allerton Library, 2- 4 Greenbank Road, Allerton, Bradford which is owned by a Trust of which the Council is the sole Trustee.

Recommended –

(1)       That consideration is given to the application by Kidz Club Allerton and that in doing so consideration is given to whether the use complies with the objectives of the Trust.

(2)       That the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources be authorised to advertise the sale of  the former Allerton Library at 2-4 Greenbank Road, Allerton, Bradford BD15 7RH and, subject to no objections being received, to make the necessary arrangements to sell the property at auction and the money to revert to the Trust.

(3)       That, should objections to the sale be received, the Strategic Director of Corporate Resources submits a further report to this Committee for consideration.

(Alistair Russell – 01274 437367) 

The Strategic Director, Corporate Resources presented a report (Document “AB”) in respect of the proposed disposal of the former Allerton Library, 2- 4 Greenbank Road, Allerton, Bradford which was owned by a Trust of which the Council was the sole Trustee. The original purpose of the Trust had been the provision of a public library and reading room.

The report explained that the property had last been occupied in 2005 and it was now in a poor state of repair and had been the subject of a number of complaints.

In relation to a request, from a Ward Councillor, for deferral of the proposal the Solicitor to the Trustees explained that the purpose of this report was to seek further information in respect of two potential options for disposal of the property, this process would include consultation which would allow the Ward Councillors to have an input. In light of this the Ward Councillor withdrew his request for the matter to be deferred.

The City Solicitor and the Strategic Director responded to questions from Members as follows:

·         It was believed that there had been some interest in the building from local community groups since becoming vacant in 2005. However, occupation of the building would be a challenge, due to the state of disrepair, and to date it appeared that the associated costs had proved to be prohibitive. There had been requests from other parties to purchase the property.

·         The question about whether a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) would be appropriate and/or permissible in this case was a technical legal issue due to the nature of the ownership and the responsibility of the Council.

·         The building was not fit for a tenant and substantial capital investment would be needed to bring it to an appropriate standard. It was currently costing the Council money.

·         A report could be taken to the Project Appraisal Group, as had been done with the Priesthorpe Annexe, to seek some capital investment.

A representative of a local charity addressed the meeting with a proposal that the organisation be permitted the opportunity to put a business case together, for submission to the Trustees, to use the building. He explained that:

·         The organisation had been running for 15 years and had a turnover of £200,000.

·         It provided community based activities and services and was well known in the community, helping a wide range of people.

·         Within a 5 to 8 period £1.8 million of funding had been secured to grow their services.

·         They did not have the necessary capital at this moment in time but had an excellent track record in generating income and working in different ways with the community.

·         Two social enterprises had been set up by the charity and both were profitable; the aim was to empower those individuals who were the furthest away from employment and help them back into work.

·         This building was a legacy for Allerton; the original purpose of the Trust had now been frustrated.

·         There was a significant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.