Emily Fieran-Reed, Service Manager for Community Cohesion, Engagement and Commissioning informed Members the Council was seeking to undertake further work to identify its community buildings portfolio. The scope is to extend the review to also include building occupied by VCS organisations exclusively either on a tenancy basis or on peppercorn rent agreements.

Emily referred Members to point 3.1 of the report which set out the main points arsing and point 3.4 which stated the initial review had included 74 buildings.

Members of the Sub-Committee made the following comments and questions:

·         This is a positive piece of work. There also needs to be a review of commercial buildings to ensure agreements are audited and the right relationships are in place.

·         Lessons need to be learnt from the initial tranche to ensure community groups on the premises are involved and our approach is adjusted accordingly.

·         TRA’s would need to be engaged especially as some TRA may believe their rent for their community space is being paid by the service charge paid by renters.

The Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee NOTED the report and AGREED to endorse the recommendations contained within the report and asked their comments be reported to the Grants Determination Sub-Committee.