To consider a report of the Executive Member for Culture and Leisure.

[NOTE: A related report is to be considered in Part II of this agenda.]

1)    That the proposed disposal be approved of the George H Carnall Leisure Centre (“GHC”) to the George Carnall Community Group (“GCCG”) as a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) by way of 2 leases, one of the area shaded blue on the plan and one of the area shaded red on the plan (Appendix A to the report) subject to:

              I.        The Executive noting the attached business plan (Part II) at this time that is developing in the context of Covid19 and supporting evidence for the future operation of GHC by GCCG;

            II.        The Executive agreeing that Trafford Council & GCCG will be responsible for the risks highlighted;

           III.        The completion of leases between Trafford Council and GCCG as set out in the report; and

          IV.        Agreeing the red line boundary for the leases as highlighted in (Appendix A to the report).

2)    That it be agreed to fund the immediate work required to transfer GHC in a fit for purpose state of £23,500 from with the current capital programme.

3)    That it be agreed to fund major works on the site in line with the current processes for maintaining buildings that are Council assets managed by other groups for a maximum of two years until 31^st December 2022 by application up to £50k p.a.

4)    That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Place, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Finance and Systems and the Corporate Director for Governance and Community Strategy, to agree the terms of the proposed leases.

5)    That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Governance and Community Strategy to complete the leases and any other documents necessary to implement the decision of the Executive.

6)    That a loan facility to GCCG be agreed up to £96,000 as working capital to recruit and pay staff at the centre as well as procure and have installed appropriate ICT systems and pay utilities as detailed in the GCCG business plan. The agreement of final terms of the facility to be delegated to the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with the Corporate Directors of Finance and Systems and Governance and Community Strategy.

7)    That it be agreed that the GCCG business plan is not competition for Move Urmston, as set out in section four of the Community Asset Transfer Position Statement document, agreed by the Executive in June 2013.

8)    That the disposal of GHC at undervalue be agreed.

The Executive Member for Culture and Leisure submitted a report which set out the background to the GHC Leisure Centre following previous reports to the Executive noting the decision of Trafford Leisure to close the facility once the redevelopment of Move Urmston is complete; and a report on the proposed CAT and agreement to have a transition period between April 2020 and September 2020. It further set out the current position, the interest from a local community group, George Carnall Community Group Community Interest Company (GCCG), a private company limited by guarantee without share capital, to manage the centre in the long term. It also set out the risks and responsibilities highlighted for both Trafford Council and the GCCG. It was noted that a related report was to be considered in Part II of the agenda. (Minute 177 below refers.)

An opportunity was provided for Members to raise questions on the content of the report. These centred on the extent to which the activities at GCH would be complementary to / differentiated from those at Move Urmston; provision and responsibility for buildings and grounds maintenance costs, and the future of car parking facilities at the site; and reference was made to differentiated anchor tenants; the clear responsibility of GCCG for ongoing maintenance, with the granting of a 25 year lease to facilitate planning and resourcing; and the opportunity for interested parties such as Ward Members to liaise directly with the Centre’s management on any local issues arising.

The content of the report was noted, and Members were advised that the formal decision on this matter would be taken following consideration of the related report in Part II of the agenda. (See Minute 177 below.)

RESOLVED – That the content of the report, and the taking of the decision in Part II of the agenda, be noted.