DECISION

1.    To agree that the rent reduction scheme for voluntary and community sector organisations occupying Council premises agreed by the Mayor in Cabinet on 1 November 2016 be;

a)        Extended to include all VCS organisations leasing premises from the Council;

b)        Revised as set out in appendix A to the report to allow for a proportionate rent reduction of either 20% or 40% for organisations engaged in economic activity where there is a significant level of activity which meets the scheme’s criteria for community benefit;

c)        Revised as set out in appendix A to the report to include nationally recognised VCS quality assurance standards in the eligibility criteria; and

d)        Revised as set out in appendix A to the report to allow a grace period of up to 12 months for organisations seeking a rent reduction to achieve the above QA standard.

2.    To agree that where a VCS organisation is not eligible for the rent reduction, the impact of the increase in rent may be mitigated through a stepped rent arrangement over the period of the lease, as set out in appendix A to the report.

3.    To delegate to the Acting Corporate Director of Place the authority to agree the terms of, and enter into, any leases (or variations thereof) or any other agreements in order to give effect to the above recommendations.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE)

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Service Manager, Community Cohesion, Engagement and Commissioning (E. Fieran-Reed)

(VCS Strategy Manager (D. Freeman)

The Mayor introduced the report. He highlighted that the report set out the proposals showing eligibility for discounts and the means of assessing applications. He emphasised it was important not to create any processes that were too complicated.

During discussion it was noted that officers were in discussion with ‘early years’ providers to see what funding options were available to them.

The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree that the rent reduction scheme for voluntary and community sector organisations occupying Council premises agreed by the Mayor in Cabinet on 1 November 2016 be;

a)        Extended to include all VCS organisations leasing premises from the Council;

b)        Revised as set out in appendix A to the report to allow for a proportionate rent reduction of either 20% or 40% for organisations engaged in economic activity where there is a significant level of activity which meets the scheme’s criteria for community benefit;

c)        Revised as set out in appendix A to the report to include nationally recognised VCS quality assurance standards in the eligibility criteria; and

d)        Revised as set out in appendix A to the report to allow a grace period of up to 12 months for organisations seeking a rent reduction to achieve the above QA standard.

2.    To agree that where a VCS organisation is not eligible for the rent reduction, the impact of the increase in rent may be mitigated through a stepped rent arrangement over the period of the lease, as set out in appendix A to the report.

3.    To delegate to the Acting Corporate Director of Place the authority to agree the terms of, and enter into, any leases (or variations thereof) or any other agreements in order to give effect to the above recommendations.