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 need for educational facilities within the local community.

·         The charity invested in people; it was effective and could change lives.

·         It was frustrating, as a local resident, to see this building neglected and unused.

·         There was a wish to create a community bakery business to bring it back into use. If the existing structure could be renovated that would be good but if it needed to be replaced then a way would be found to do so.

·         The building would be beyond economic repair through a traditional approach.

·         The charity would like to have the opportunity to put a business case forward.

A Ward Councillor echoed and supported these comments. He said that such use would reflect the aim of the original Trust and would fulfil a need in an area of deprivation. The property was currently a visual eyesore and the charity had a great deal of passion to use this for a positive purpose for the residents of Allerton.

Another Ward Councillor expressed support for the charity’s proposal; she said that the organisation had a strong track record in such projects.

It was noted that the Trustees would have to be satisfied that any use would comply with the objectives of the Trust.

Resolved –

That the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources be requested to explore the feasibility and possibilities in respect of the proposal by Kidz Klub Allerton (Rooted In) to use the property, to include consideration of whether the proposed use would comply with the terms of the Trust, and to report back to the January 2019 meeting of this Committee.

ACTION:       Strategic Director, Corporate Resources