A report will be submitted by the Strategic Director, Corporate Services in relation to Priesthorpe Annexe, Mornington Road, Bingley which is held by the Council as Trustees of the former Bingley Science Arts and Technical School (Document “AL”).

The report explains that the building has been empty since 2002 and is in a poor state of repair.  The Council has been unable to find a use for the building that would promote the objectives of the Trust (for the educational benefit of the people (children and adults) of Bingley) or to provide a revenue budget to maintain it.  Approval is therefore sought to sell the property and for the proceeds of the sale, after costs and grant repayment, to be used to further the educational objectives of the Trust.

Recommended –

(1)       That the Strategic Director, Corporate Services seek representations from the public in respect of the proposed sale of Priesthorpe Annexe, Mornington Road, Bingley.

(2)       That, having given due consideration to the representations received, the Strategic Director, Corporate Services refer the matter back to this Committee for further consideration or, if no objections to the sale are received, progress the sale of the property and, subject to further legal advice, use the net sale proceeds for the educational benefit of the people of Bingley.

(Belinda Gaynor – 01274 434309)

A report was submitted by the Strategic Director, Corporate Services in relation to Priesthorpe Annexe, Mornington Road, Bingley which was held by the Council as Trustees of the former Bingley Science Arts and Technical School (Document “AL”).

The report explained that the building had been empty since 2002 and was in a poor state of repair. The Council had been unable to find a use for the building that would promote the objectives of the Trust (for the educational benefit of the people (children and adults) of Bingley) or to provide a revenue budget to maintain it. Approval was therefore sought to sell the property and for the proceeds of the sale, after costs and grant repayment, to be used to further the educational objectives of the Trust.

The City Solicitor responded to Members’ questions:

·         The issue of retention and re-use had been considered but the building was no longer needed and there was no educational use for it at this time.

·         The proceeds of any sale would be banked separately and the Trustees would then make decisions on how these funds were allocated.

A Town Councillor addressed the Committee with the following points:

·         There was a clear will to progress with this site.

·         The Town Council would consider the issue at its next meeting.

·         The degeneration and present state of this key unlisted building was a source of anger and frustration for local people.

·         The recommendation that representations be sought in respect of the future of the building was welcomed.

·         It could not be assumed that if sold the building would be developed; there were numerous examples of empty or derelict buildings in the locality which caused a blight on the town.  There was a risk that it could be allowed to degenerate further.  The building was already in a very poor state and had a negative impact on the neighbourhood.

·         There was a primary school located opposite and it was surrounded by footpaths.

·         It was requested that the Trustees consider the ‘disposal’ of the building rather than its definite sale as this term could also include other options such as its potential lease or transfer. If it was sold it was suggested that it may be possible to include conditions to ensure that it was developed in a sympathetic and timely manner.

·         A early and clear steer from the Conservation Officer would assist in the prompt and appropriate development of the site and it was requested that they be consulted now and asked to report on the potential ways forward.

·         It was considered that there was a need for clarity in respect of the definition of ‘educational benefit’ and how this could be delivered.

·         The report stated that there was a risk of criticism of the Council for the failure to maintain the property but this also applied if the Trustees failed to dispose of the property in a thoughtful and careful way.

·         The process of disposal needed to be carefully managed or the building could continue to be a problem for Bingley.

·         The Trustees were asked to consider how they could use the opportunity to ensure that the site was brought back into productive use and could serve the people of Bingley as intended.

The Independent Legal Adviser to the Trustees and the City Solicitor answered further questions from Members:

·         The sale of the building for the best possible price was a  straightforward process that would clearly benefit the Charity. Other options could be considered but the Charity Commission would have to be consulted.

·         The building had last been used for educational purposes in 2002.

·         The situation in this case whereby the Council acted as Trustee meant that it was more complex in terms of whether the building could be considered to be an asset or a liability than if it was just owned by a charity.  The Charity had no funds that could be spent on the property, the building was its only asset.

The Strategic Director explained that:

·         The property was held by the Council as Trustee.

·         The Trust had no financial means to maintain the property.

·         Attempts had been made to identify another operational use but had failed. The building had continued to deteriorate in the meantime and the Trustees approval was needed in order that action might be taken.

·         It was considered that the only realistic means to fulfil the terms of the Trust was to dispose of the property and reinvest the funds.

·         Regular discussions were undertaken with the Education Funding Agency in respect of potential sites for free schools, this could be discussed with them during the consultation process.

Members expressed the following views:

·         The points raised by the Town Council were compelling and additional time should be permitted to consider other options.

·         At the present moment the Charity was achieving no educational benefit from the property so any move forward would be an improvement.

·         It was not believed that the building would be suitable for a new school.

·         If the site was bought for a free school this would mean that there was a double benefit in education terms.

·         There was a risk of further deterioration in the future but the Trustees had to use the property to achieve the best possible benefit for the Trust’s aims and disposal seemed to be the only way to do this.

Resolved –

(1)       That the Strategic Director, Corporate Services seek representations from the public in respect of the proposed disposal of Priesthorpe Annexe, Mornington Road, Bingley.

(2)       That, having given due consideration to the representations received, the Strategic Director, Corporate Services refer the matter back to this Committee for further consideration or, if no objections are received, progress the disposal of the property and, subject to further legal advice, use the net sale proceeds for the educational benefit of the people of Bingley.

ACTION:       Strategic Director, Corporate Services