URL: https://democracy.canterbury.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1614

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: (Councillor Turnbull spoke regarding this item)    Councillor Charlotte Cornell introduced the report that sought Cabinet’s approval to the proposed distribution of the Foresters Hall Trust’s assets by way of transferring the title of the property held by the trust to the Whitstable Community Museum & Gallery (a charity with similar aims) for nil consideration and transfer of the remaining collection items to Canterbury Museum and Galleries, thereby enabling the winding down of the Foresters Hall Trust.    There were three options in the report   Option 1 – To wind up the Foresters Hall Trust and transfer the property to the Whitstable Museum, with similar charitable aims, for nil consideration in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.   Option 2 – For the Foresters Hall Trust to continue, however the trust has no assets available (other than the property and collection) to cover maintenance costs on the building  Option 3- To secure a rental income via a lease agreement for the Foresters Hall building to meet future maintenance obligations.    The Cabinet discussed the report, and the following points were made:    Thanks were given to the excellent and hard work of the volunteers at the Whitstable Museum.  The transfer could complete quickly as legal papers were ready to go.     It was proposed, seconded and when put to a recorded vote    RESOLVED:  To delegate authority to the Head of Culture, Leisure and External Development to act on behalf of Canterbury City Council as Corporate Trustee for the Foresters Hall Trust to enter into necessary agreements/documentation to wind up the Foresters Hall Trust and disposal of the property known as Foresters Hall by transfer of title of the property to the Whitstable Museum for nil consideration and transfer the remaining collection items to Canterbury Museums and Galleries.       To delegate authority to the Head of Legal Services to approve and seal such documentation as is necessary to wind up the Foresters Hall Trust and transfer the title of the property to the Whitstable Community Museum and Gallery. report    Record of the voting:  For (7): Councillors Baldock, Dawkins, Castle, Charlotte Cornell, Chris Cornell, Hazelton and Ricketts  Against: None  Abstained: None    Reason for the decision: The trust has been dormant for some time with no assets to be able to cover the cost of maintenance required on the property. The proposed disposal of the property would enable the WCMG to utilise a grant obtained to undertake maintenance on the property. The aims of the Whitstable Museum duplicate those of the Foresters Hall Trust.   

Date of Decision: June 16, 2025