The historic building known as The Gables in Nantwich looks set to be transferred to town council control – for £1.
A report to be discussed by current owner Cheshire East Council recommends the asset transfer of the three-storey building and car park on Beam Street.
The Gables has hosted a number of local voluntary groups, including current tenants Nantwich Luncheon Club.
It has been used as a community venue for over 50 years.
In the report, to go before Cheshire East finance committee on April 13, it states: “The Gables use is limited now.
“Moving it to more local ownership will enable it to be better utilised, or sold as part of a local review and work to develop Community Hubs in Nantwich.
“A network of Community Hubs in Nantwich will ensure assets are sustainable and that they work together to provide the right services, in the right places, at the right times.”
The Gables is currently occupied by two tenants – the Luncheon Club on the ground floor and the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) on the first and second floor.
CAB is moving into Nantwich Library in May 2015.
Under the transfer plan, the Luncheon Club will remain as a tenant of Nantwich Town Council until they decide to relocate.
The building has a market value between £240,000 and £280,000, with the car park adding another £30,000, the report adds.
“The transfer will include a covenant that the property is restricted to community use only on the proposed, and any subsequent transfer and a claw back for any sale will be linked to community benefit,” it continues.
“Any sale proceeds are to be re-invested in the Civic Centre as part of a Community Hub for Nantwich.”
This has come a long way very quickly; readers may recall that in December last year, I alerted the luncheon club and residents of the likely £10,000 increase in costs, in the medium term, should the luncheon club be persuaded to move and challenged the portfolio holder at Cheshire East to “think about a Plan B”.
In February of this year, Nantwich Town Council authorised my self, Councillor David Marren, (Chair of Finance) and the Town Clerk to open negotiations with Cheshire East to secure the transfer of the Gables, rear car park and equipment subject to an agreement that Nantwich
Town Council could re-sell the property and utilise the sale proceeds for community use.
I shall be reporting at the April meeting of Nantwich Town Council that our negotiations with Cheshire East have been a complete success, and that our terms have been completely accepted, subject to final sign off by the Finance Portfolio Holder, at Cheshire East on the 13th.
The Luncheon Club is effectively “saved” and secure, though of course this does need to be ratified by the Town Council, also on the 13th.
This is a fantastic deal for the taxpayers of Nantwich and particularly so for the elderly users of the Luncheon Club. I am grateful for the co-operative spirit with which Cheshire East Officers have engaged with the Clerk and me, and I think it shows just what can be achieved when Politicians and Officers work together.
Cllr David Marren