URL: https://scambs.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=12948

Decision Maker: Lead Cabinet Member for Communities

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The purpose of the decision is to approve the lease terms for the Unity Centre, wherein a leasehold agreement is made with Northstowe Town Council in accordance with the decision of Cabinet taken 24 June 2025.  The decision of Cabinet was to approve an in-principle asset transfer of the Unity Centre to Northstowe Town Council and endorsed further discussion with the Town Council to progress their proposal.   Cabinet delegated responsibility to agree the final terms of the lease to the Cabinet Member for Communities and the Senior Responsible Officer for Northstowe (the Chief Operating Officer).   The Chief Operating Officer is authorised to complete all necessary legal and administrative steps to execute the lease and facilitate the transfer.   The Agreement to Lease offers to the Town Council a twenty year leasehold term and commits the district council to use reasonable endeavours to procure Reversionary Lease Consent from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to permit a 99-year term (i.e. to grant consent pursuant to s123 of the Local Government Act 1972).   The Lease Agreement will come into force following the district council having taken practical completion of the building from its construction partner, Kier. The Town Council has provided the requisite details of its proposed operation and arrangements for monitoring and evidencing ongoing community benefit.   Officers undertook further work with representatives and officers of Northstowe Town Council between June 2025 and January 2026. Northstowe Town Council has approved entry into the lease on the terms negotiated (Northstowe Town Council meeting 27 January).   This decision authorises the signing and sealing of the Agreement to Lease.

Content: The purpose of the decision is to approve the lease terms for the Unity Centre, wherein a leasehold agreement is made with Northstowe Town Council in accordance with the decision of Cabinet taken 24 June 2025.  The decision of Cabinet was to approve an in-principle asset transfer of the Unity Centre to Northstowe Town Council and endorsed further discussion with the Town Council to progress their proposal.   Cabinet delegated responsibility to agree the final terms of the lease to the Cabinet Member for Communities and the Senior Responsible Officer for Northstowe (the Chief Operating Officer).   The Chief Operating Officer is authorised to complete all necessary legal and administrative steps to execute the lease and facilitate the transfer.   The Agreement to Lease offers to the Town Council a twenty year leasehold term and commits the district council to use reasonable endeavours to procure Reversionary Lease Consent from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to permit a 99-year term (i.e. to grant consent pursuant to s123 of the Local Government Act 1972).   The Lease Agreement will come into force following the district council having taken practical completion of the building from its construction partner, Kier. The Town Council has provided the requisite details of its proposed operation and arrangements for monitoring and evidencing ongoing community benefit.   Officers undertook further work with representatives and officers of Northstowe Town Council between June 2025 and January 2026. Northstowe Town Council has approved entry into the lease on the terms negotiated (Northstowe Town Council meeting 27 January).   This decision authorises the signing and sealing of the Agreement to Lease. To enter into an Agreement to Lease the Unity Centre, Northstowe to Northstowe Town Council. Cabinet previously approved the in?principle asset transfer and delegated authority to agree the final terms.   Northstowe Town Council has confirmed its acceptance of the negotiated terms.   The COO and Lead Member for Communities are of the view that the Town Council’s proposed operating model will enable the community benefits of this asset to be realised; the leasehold terms agreed embed these community benefits and permit the district council to step-in should this be required, thereby safeguarding the future of the Unity Centre as a community asset.   Finalising the lease enables the timely transition of management and control to the Town Council, consistent with the direction set by Cabinet. Option 1: to withhold a leasehold agreement and deny Northstowe Town Council’s asset transfer request to manage and operate the Unity Centre of Northstowe.   Reason for Rejection: Cabinet made a decision to award the asset transfer to Northstowe Town Council in principle, thereby entrusting the management and maintenance of this key community asset to the most local tier of government, subject to satisfactory terms being agreed with Northstowe Town Council, which have been secured through an Agreement to Lease.

Date of Decision: February 6, 2026