Author: Sally Perry
Freehold Or Leasehold Transfers For Loos and Libraries Still Not Finalised
4:13 pm Thursday, 22nd September, 2011, Isle of Wight
ShortURL: http://wig.ht/28V8
Read More- Budget Cuts, Business, Community, Island-wide, Isle of Wight Council, Library, News
At last night’s full council meeting, Cllr Jonathan Bacon took the opportunity during question time to get an update on the transfer of public toilets and libraries to community groups.
He posed the following question to councillors George Brown, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for the Economy and the Environment and Cllr Barry Abraham, Cabinet Member for Fire, Culture and Residents’ Services
In respect of toilets and libraries proposed for closure or handing over to community ownership pursuant to the Budget decision of February 2011, how many of these facilities have been or are in the process of being handed over to community ownership?
In how many cases has the transfer been successfully completed? In how many cases, specifying which facilities, has the transfer to community ownership not yet been fully completed, including those instances where premises are currently subject to a tenancy at will rather than a full lease having been signed.
Given this was submitted as a written question, Cllr Brown was able to provide the following pre-prepared response, which he has kindly sent to VB.
Public Conveniences
Following the Cabinet decision of 1st March 2011 third party interest (town and parish councils and private individuals) was invited from those interested in taking over the operation of some of the surplus public lavatories for continued public use.15 such expressions of interest were been received (most of which was shortly after the Cabinet decision) and the Council has successfully concluded agreements to transfer all 15 to the respective third parties.
13 lavatory facilities are currently occupied under a tenancy at will pending the freehold or leasehold transfer of the facility; one has been transferred by way of a variation to an existing lease and one has transferred under a management agreement.
Tenancies at Will have been granted prior to completion of full legal documentation in order to permit the new occupiers the opportunity to open the facilities to the public during the Island’s busiest periods.
If Cllr Bacon wishes to have specific details relating to specific sites, I am happy to supply him with the information outside this meeting.
Libraries
Discussions have been ongoing with a variety of community based groups, aiming for a transfer of the following libraries to community groups by the 30th September 2011: -
- Bembridge,
- Brighstone
- East Cowes
- Niton
- Shanklin
Draft agreements have been provided to each community group and agreement on terms is being negotiated with each group. In order to ensure continuity of the library service Tenancies at Will are be used to enable the community groups to take occupation of the buildings.
Cllr Bacon pointed out that the process had been far more costly than predicted and asked whether lessons had been learnt to avoid this happening in the future.
And I did not get a satisfactory answer! It is not right to say agreements have been concluded. In a number of cases I am aware of tenancies at will are being used as a holding position while problems are being identified and argued over which may mean that a final transfer does not occur. People are being requested to take full responsibility for costs and liabilities where figures are proving inaccurate and the extent of such liability is difficult to ascertain.
Offensive comment?
If Pugh or any of the other Tory leaders are giving out flawed or misleading information in the chamber of County Hall, wouldn’t this be breaking local government rules or standards?
If there is any evidence of this going on, then in my opinion it needs to be reported and investigated?
Offensive comment?
According to the IWCP the East Cowes Town Council is only going to be allowed to use the existing library building until the end of December 2011. After that date they will have no suitable premises to operate from. I have been informed that a number of developers have already had surveys done on the building and are ready to purchase it (in view of its “condition” we assume it will be at a knock down price)
Offensive comment?
I often wonder whether the councillors who are making these decisions to cut the libraries have ever used them. This could be one of the reasons why they’re not very bright and therefore make stupid decisions.
Offensive comment?