The report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources, (Document “S”) informs Members that the Council has received a nomination to list Ilkley Town Hall, Library, Kings Hall and Winter Garden as an Asset of Community Value under the Localism Act 2011.

Document “S” considers whether the nomination and nominated asset meet the Asset of Community Value criteria set out in the Localism Act 2011. 

Members are asked to make a recommendation to the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources, to approve or not to approve the nomination. 

Recommended –

That it be recommended to the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources, that in accordance with option 1, contained in Document “S, the nomination of land at Ilkley Town Hall, Library, Kings Hall and Winter Gardens be approved as an Asset of Community Value on the grounds that it does meet the criteria and definition of an Asset of Community Value as set out in the Localism Act 2011.

(Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Nigel Giillat – 01535 618297)

The report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources, (Document “S”) informed Members that the Council had received a nomination to list Ilkley Town Hall, Library, Kings Hall and Winter Garden, as an Asset of Community Value under the Localism Act 2011.

Document “S” considered whether the nomination and nominated asset met the Asset of Community Value criteria set out in the Localism Act 2011 and Members were asked to make a recommendation to the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources, to approve or not to approve the nomination. 

The nomination was appended to Document “S” and an assessment of that nomination was provided in the report.  It was reported that the asset had been listed on 19 February 2015 and that listing expired on 19 February 2020.  Council officers had assessed that the criteria for listing had been met and recommended that the asset be listed as an Asset of Community Value.

An Ilkley Ward Member had questioned the statement contained in the report that Ward Members had been contacted and that no comments had been received.  It was explained that contact had been made with Members but that this had been after the report had been submitted and they had not had the opportunity to comment.  Apologies were made for any confusion which had been caused.

Members questioned if there had been any interest in purchasing the buildings nominated and were advised that the Council had no plans to sell those properties. In response to concerns that the tenants of the Town Hall may be affected it was confirmed that if the nomination was approved there would be no detrimental impact on tenants. 

Following discussions about the consequences of listing as an ACV it was explained that the listing of land or property as an Asset of Community Value had the effect of preventing owners from disposing of their listed property without first notifying the Council of their intention to sell. The notification of intention to sell would trigger a six week moratorium on disposal during which local community groups and parish councils were able to express an interest in bidding for the property. If no expressions of interest were received the owner would be free to dispose of property at the end of the six week period. If an expression of interest was received the initial six week moratorium extended to six months to allow community groups and parish councils to prepare to bid for the property or to negotiate with the property owner. At the end of the six month period the owner would be able to sell the property to whoever they wanted and by whatever means they wished. If the property was not sold within 18 months of the notification of intention to sell the disposal process must start again. Once sold the property would be removed from the list.

Resolved –

That it be recommended to the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources, that in accordance with option 1, contained in Document “S, the nomination of land at Ilkley Town Hall, Library, Kings Hall and Winter Gardens be approved as an Asset of Community Value on the grounds that it does meet the criteria and definition of an Asset of Community Value as set out in the Localism Act 2011.

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Corporate

ACTION: Strategic Director, Corporate Resources