Source: City of Preston
A new Policy Statement has been introduced by Preston City Council to back the use of some Council-owned assets, buildings and land, to be used to support the voluntary and community sectors to deliver greater community benefit and social value.
Preston City Council owns a number of building and land assets across the city, many of which are used to bring in money to support the essential services that the Council provides to residents and businesses.
An extensive review has highlighted that some of these assets are of limited commercial value and can play a much more significant role supporting our voluntary, charities and faith sectors (VCFS) in our communities and local neighbourhoods.
A decision has been made that a number of these assets become community centre assets on a long-term lease. VCFS organisations can benefit from a long-term lease to strengthen their bid applications to funding streams from organisations such as the National Lottery.
Councillor Martyn Rawlinson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources at Preston City Council said:
“Community and voluntary organisations across the city are doing and excellent job of delivery vibrant and essential centres of activity. Had these groups and organisations not stepped in, these vital community facilities would have been closed and lost for good. We want to thank these organisations for the support they give to our community and offer long term support to enable this to continue”
The Council has also made the decision that 11 community sports pitches will also be agreed on a long-term peppercorn rental agreement of 10 years, when any current lease arrangement expire, provided operators can demonstrate that they meet the necessary management and maintenance requirements.
Councillor Valerie Wise, Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building said:
“Using assets to deliver economic, social and environmental benefits and to contribute to the development of a sustainable and resilient local economy, is a key priority in Preston Council’s Community Wealth Building strategy.
“This an important move to ensure Council owned buildings and land can remain viable, support and to best serve the community in which they are located to improve the overall health and wellbeing of our residents.”
Other underused Council owned space in the city is also under consideration for VCFS uses for community benefit, subject to business plans and evidence of value for money. Similarly, the Council recognises there are other community organisations not occupying Council-owned properties who are delivering equally valuable services to our communities and the Council will explore ways to continue to support these organisations.