Agenda item

In order to ensure the smooth running of the meeting, the Leader announced that as well as allowing the petition and deputation speakers, he would take some questions from the floor.  Members would discuss both the H&F Buildings Consultation and Sands End Community Centre reports together but take separate votes at the end of the debate.

The Cabinet received a petition and three deputation requests from:

Mr. John Gordon-Smith (Petition - Village Hall),

Ms. Anna Du Boisson (Deputation - Village Hall),

Ms. Hilda McCafferty (Deputation - Irish Centre), and

Mr. Nicholas Waldemar-Brown (Deputation - Sands End Community Centre).

Mr John Gordon-Smith addressed the Committee stating that the Village Hall which accommodates a wide range of groups and services was accessible to all service users.  The uptake of the services since the opening of Westfield had increased.  The hall did not require high maintenance as it had been recently refurbished.  It would be prohibitive for the groups to run without the use of the hall.

Mrs Anna Du Boisson challenged the proposed decision to close and dispose of the Village Hall.  She stated that the Village Hall was essential in providing dance classes, rehearsals and scholarships for 720 children.  Both the Young Dancers Academy and West London Dance School used the hall on a daily basis.  She noted that the user groups were self funding and the building was in a good state of repair.  Therefore the Council did not require to invest in the up keep of the building.  If the hall were disposed of, there were no alternative venues within the area suitable for the dance groups to use.  She stated that her charity would offer to take responsibility for the maintenance, upkeep and running cost of the hall for the benefit of the community.  She implored Cabinet to save the hall by renting it to the community or giving the groups the opportunity to buy the building.

Mrs Hilda McCafferty requested Cabinet not to revoke its decision made in January 2009 to extend the Irish Cultural Centre lease and to reconsider the proposal to extend the lease to 2017.  It would be very difficult to re-provide a community building such as the Irish Cultural Centre once it is lost to a commercial or residential use.  She implored members to give the Centre’s board more time, beyond March 2012, to raise funds once a valuation had been agreed if the Council decided to proceed with a sale.  The reputation of the Council had been enhanced as the Centre was a Centre of Excellence for education and cultural activities.  She was of the view that if the Centre were to be disposed of the good relationship built over the years between Britain and Ireland could be damaged.

Mr. Nicholas Waldemar-Brown spoke on behalf of Sand End Community Centre and Library Action Group.  He noted that the centre served the local community through Sure Start for young families, a gym, and adult education classes with  high grade pottery and jewellery making facilities and a library.  The Council’s argument for closure was based on the desire to sell the property to reduce its debt.  The Sands End Community Centre Action Group challenged the Council’s arguments for closure and did not support the proposed options to relocate and re-provide the services elsewhere within the ward as the Centre was at the geographical centre of the ward.  Re-provision of facilities elsewhere in the ward was impractical for many families living in the area.  The strength of the library and community centre was that all facilities were under one roof.  This allowed families to access a variety of services as well as providing mutual support.  He was of the opinion that the consultation was flawed.  The Council had disregarded the groundswell of opinion shown by residents.  It was false economy to relocate services without calculating the actual re-provision costs.  He noted that a developer had approached the Council to buy the building for £2 million and lease the ground floor back to the community.  He urged the Council to consider alternative options to ensure it was kept open.

The Cabinet Members confirmed that they had carefully read both reports and the associated Equalities Impact Assessments, and would have regard to the documents listed below and the relevant deliberations when making their decisions:-

·        petition heard at Full Council in October 2010 in relation to the Sands End Community Centre,

·        petition heard at January 2011 Full Council in relation to the Irish Centre, and

·        the Library Strategy Report which was considered and agreed at the January 2011 Cabinet meeting.

Opposition Councillors, residents, deputees, and other interested parties asked the Cabinet a series of questions.  These were addressed as part of the Cabinet Members’ responses at the end of the debate.  In conclusion, the Leader noted that the Council had no intention of undertaking a fire sale of any of the properties.  The Council will continue to work with the groups to ensure that services were re-provided elsewhere.  He noted that the Council will only consider the closure of Sand Ends Community Centre if it can ensure that alternative services are available within the ward.

RESOLVED

1.  That the following properties are no longer required by the Council and are approved for released for disposal (on terms considered appropriate by the Assistant Director (Building and Property) and the Assistant Director (Legal and Democratic Services):

a. Cambridge House and Barclay House: the Council should vacate the leased buildings at the earliest opportunity and relocate staff to remaining accessible sites.

b. Fulham Town Hall: With the relocation of services, it is declared to be no longer required by the Council and can be released for disposal.

c. Distillery Lane Centre: (subject to public notice under Section 123(2A) Local Government Act 1972 and consideration of any objections received). Please refer to paragraph 21.5 in the report.

2:   That the Council can no longer afford to keep and maintain the following properties (or subsidise others to do so) and that they are disposed of on terms which the Assistant Director (Building and Property) and the Assistant Director (Legal and Democratic Services) consider appropriate.

a. Askham Centre: (subject to possible short term use first and to relocation of services)

b. Palingswick House: is declared too costly to keep and maintain and can be released for disposal.

c.  58 Bulwer Street: is declared too costly to keep and maintain and can be released for disposal.

d. The Greswell Centre: (subject to alternative accommodation being offered to Hammersmith & Fulham Action on Disability in the White City Collaborative Care Centre).

e.   20 Hammersmith Broadway (Information Centre): That the current lease is not renewed; and to offer to surrender the premises back to the landlord or (failing that) sub let the premises to a retailer paying a market rent (after offering first refusal to the current occupant). The terms of such surrender or sub-letting to be as the Assistant Director(Building and Property) and the Assistant Director (Legal and Democratic Services) consider appropriate.

3.    That Cabinet revoke its decision made in January 2009 to extend the lease of the Irish Cultural Centre to Irish Cultural Centre Hammersmith Ltd.  The property to be released for disposal at best consideration with the tenant being offered first refusal when the current lease expires in March 2012. Terms of disposal to be as the Assistant Director (Building and Property) and the Assistant Director (Legal and Democratic Services) consider appropriate.

4.   That a decision on the future of 50 Commonwealth Avenue be deferred until the Day Opportunities review has concluded. 

5.   That delegated authority is given to the Leader of the Council and relevant Cabinet Member to procure a managing agent that will manage the Edward Woods Community Hub.  This would be under a framework agreement, whereby other buildings/ hubs owned by the Council could potentially be managed by the same organisation. 

6.   That the Council explore options for developing further community hubs in the borough as opportunities arise.

7.   That delegated authority is given to the Leader of the Council and relevant Cabinet Member to conclude all matters relating to the implementation of the above recommendations (with power to sub-delegate to the relevant departmental Director).