Agenda item

To update Cabinet on the intended change in delivery strategy of services by Hart Citizens Advice and the opportunities this presents to work with other Public Sector organisations, in delivering vital services to our community.

Hart building in Royal Oak Close, Yateley (The Building), currently occupied by Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) and ask approval to progress the following:

1.    CAB move from The Building into the APEX, Ground Floor, Civic Building.

2.    Agree in principle for Oakley Health Group (OHG) to move into The Building, dependant on agreement of lease terms.

3.    Delegation to complete lease agreements with CAB and OHG.

RECOMMENDATION

That Cabinet agrees:

1.             The cessation of the existing Tenancy at Will arrangements with Hart Citizens Advice for the building at Royal Oak Close in Yateley.

2.             A new lease with Hart Citizens Advice that would enable the service to move from Yateley to the Apex Centre within the Civic Offices, and consolidates the lease agreements into one single agreement, based on the Heads of Terms as set out in appendix 1.

3.             Subject to agreement to points 1 and 2, that Cabinet agree in principle the occupation of Oakley Health Group into The Building at Royal Oak Close, Yateley, based on the Heads of Terms as set out in appendix 2.

4.             That Cabinet delegate the Joint Chief Executives in consultation with the Deputy Leader, authorisation to complete the lease agreements based on the Heads of Terms as set out in appendix 1 and 2, with both Hart Citizen Advice and Oakley Health Group (or other NHS body, so appointed to deliver, see paragraph 4.11).

5.             That Cabinet recommends to Council, that subject to the conclusion of the lease arrangements with Hart Citizens Advice, as set out in appendix 1, that their core grant is increased to £220K.

DECISION

That Cabinet agreed:

1.             The cessation of the existing Tenancy at Will arrangements with Hart Citizens Advice for the building at Royal Oak Close in Yateley.

2.             A new lease with Hart Citizens Advice that would consolidate the service from Yateley to the Apex Centre within the Civic Offices, and consolidates the lease agreements into one single agreement, based on the Heads of Terms as set out in appendix 1.

3.             Subject to agreement to points 1 and 2, that Cabinet agreed in principle the occupation of Oakley Health Group into The Building at Royal Oak Close, Yateley, based on the Heads of Terms as set out in appendix 2.

4.             That Cabinet delegated the Joint Chief Executives in consultation with the Deputy Leader, authorisation to complete the lease agreements based on the Heads of Terms as set out in appendix 1 and 2, with both Hart Citizen Advice and Oakley Health Group (or other NHS body, so appointed to deliver, see paragraph 4.11).

5.             That Cabinet recommended to Council, that subject to the conclusion of the lease arrangements with Hart Citizens Advice, as set out in appendix 1, that their core grant is increased to £220K.

6.             That cabinet noted the desire for the CAB to retain a physical presence in Yateley and to extend this model to other parts of the district.

7.             That Cabinet noted the expressed willingness by Oakley Health for CAB to be able to have a presence in the form of a CAB building in Yateley.

Cabinet were updated on the intended change in delivery strategy of services by Hart Citizens Advice and the opportunities this presents to work with other Public Sector organisations, in delivering vital services to our community.  The Hart building in Royal Oak Close, Yateley (The Building) is currently occupied by Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) and Members were asked to approve to progress the following:

1.    CAB move from The Building into the APEX, Ground Floor, Civic Building.

2.    Agree in principle for Oakley Health Group (OHG) to move into The Building, dependant on agreement of lease terms.

3.    Delegation to complete lease agreements with CAB and OHG.

Members questioned the:

·       Organisations benefitting from making use of the Organisation’s assets and being treated fairly by the Council.

·       VAT charges on the commercial rent received and the VAT liability on the rent being covered by the grant given. 

·       Asked for reassurance that services received from CAB will maintain a high quality and if we have influence on how they provide their services.

·       Requesting CAB prioritise their front-line services and secure delivery through the grant scheme.

·       Amend the recommendation to state that Office presence in the APEX Centre to be consolidated.

·       Strategic decisions made by CAB to move from physical presence to operations via the internet and online.

·       The additional cost of outreach sites and facilities.

Cllr Bailey moved to make an amendment to the recommendation for clarity for residents and for Cabinet to note the desire for the CAB to retain a physical presence in Yateley and to extend this model to other parts of the district and to note the expressed willingness by Oakley Health for CAB to be able to have a presence in the form of a CAB building in Yateley.  Members unanimously agreed.

DECISION

That Cabinet agreed:

1.             The cessation of the existing Tenancy at Will arrangements with Hart Citizens Advice for the building at Royal Oak Close in Yateley.

2.             A new lease with Hart Citizens Advice that would consolidate the service from Yateley to the Apex Centre within the Civic Offices, and consolidates the lease agreements into one single agreement, based on the Heads of Terms as set out in appendix 1.

3.             Subject to agreement to points 1 and 2, that Cabinet agreed in principle the occupation of Oakley Health Group into The Building at Royal Oak Close, Yateley, based on the Heads of Terms as set out in appendix 2.

4.             That Cabinet delegated the Joint Chief Executives in consultation with the Deputy Leader, authorisation to complete the lease agreements based on the Heads of Terms as set out in appendix 1 and 2, with both Hart Citizen Advice and Oakley Health Group (or other NHS body, so appointed to deliver, see paragraph 4.11).

5.             That Cabinet recommended to Council, that subject to the conclusion of the lease arrangements with Hart Citizens Advice, as set out in appendix 1, that their core grant is increased to £220K.

6.             That cabinet noted the desire for the CAB to retain a physical presence in Yateley and to extend this model to other parts of the district.

7.             That Cabinet noted the expressed willingness by Oakley Health for CAB to be able to have a presence in the form of a CAB building in Yateley.