Agenda item

The Committee considered applications for rental subsidies from three tenant organisations, namely the Lingfield Nature Reserves Association, Lingfield Sports Association and the Caterham & Whyteleafe Tennis Club. In all three cases, the officer recommendation was to grant renewed 100% rental subsidies, subject to the organisations entering into new lease agreements (with repair and maintenance obligations) and seeking additional funding sources.

It was explained that community organisations which operated from Council owned land / buildings were invited to submit such applications when their current leases were about to expire or at rent review. In the case of the two Lingfield organisations, their leases had not yet expired, but the organisations had approached the Council to renegotiate their leases so they could have a longer-term certainty (at least 15 years but ideally 25 years) in order to be eligible for grant funding. 

Councillor Pursehouse proposed an amendment, seconded by Councillor Bloore, to:

(i)      clarify that the 100% rental subsidy for the Lingfield Nature Reserves Association would apply throughout the duration of the new lease

(ii)      continue, and index link, the Council’s annual £700 contribution to the Lingfield Nature Reserves Association towards grass cutting costs (the report envisaged that this contribution would cease)

(iii)     ensure that all three organisations (and subsequent rent subsidy applicants) would not be precluded from applying for any future Council grants that may be available.

This amendment was agreed, the rationale for (ii) above being that the Lingfield Nature Reserves is a non-revenue generating organisation.         

            R E S O L V E D – that:

A.   a 100% rental grant subsidy (for the duration of the lease referred to in (i) below) be awarded to the Lingfield Nature Reserves Association, subject to the Association:

(i)    entering into a 25-year lease in order to attract grant funding;

(ii)   being fully responsible for all repair and maintenance within the demise (notwithstanding B below); and

(iii)  seeking external grant and other funding, significantly from non TDC sources, and undertaking fundraising to achieve ongoing maintenance and improvements (e.g. footpath renewals);

B.  the Council will continue to provide an annual contribution to the Lingfield Nature Reserves Association towards grass cutting costs (£700 for 2022/23 and index linked thereafter); 

C.   a rental grant subsidy of 100% be awarded to the Lingfield Sports Association, subject to the Association:

(i)    entering into a 25-year lease in order to attract grant funding;

(ii)   being fully responsible for all repair and maintenance for buildings and the grounds within the demise; and

(iii)  seeking external grant and other funding, significantly from non TDC sources, and fundraising to achieve ongoing maintenance and improvements;

D.   a rental grant subsidy of 100% be awarded to Caterham & Whyteleafe Tennis Club, subject to the Club:

(i)    entering into a 15-year lease in order to attract grant funding;

(ii)   taking full responsibility for repairs to the entire demise, including for the clubhouse, all grass cutting, litter clearance, internal fencing and court maintenance; and

(iii)  seeking external grant and other funding, significantly from non TDC sources, and fundraising to:

·      continue to maintain the site

·      replace the court surface when necessary

·      improve or replace the current clubhouse building;

E.    in future, other community organisations in receipt of rental subsidies shall not be prohibited from applying for grants which may be available from the Council.