Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Estates and Asset Management.

The report details a nomination received in response to the Community Right to Bid.

The Area Committee is requested to consider and determine the nomination for Woodbank Hall to be added to the list of Assets of Community Value, subject to the criteria set out in Section 88 of the Localism Act 2011.

Officer contact: Paul Edgeworth 0161 218 1934 | paul.edgeworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director - Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer submitted a report of the Strategic Head of Estates and Asset Management (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a nomination received in response to the Community Right to Bid.

Paul Edgeworth (Property Services Manager, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to answer questions from councillors.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Stockport Council was the asset owner of Woodbank Hall.

·         The building was on the ‘heritage at risk’ register. A sustainable future use for the building, appropriate for its setting in the park, was needed. It was reported that the best way to protect the hall’s heritage would be to find a sustainable use for the hall (which would require significant funding). It was noted that a café offer would compete with a nearby premises. Any future use for the building would require planning permission. The building was currently substantially unused, with some of the areas being used for yard storage and a mess area for the Friends of Woodbank Park.

·         Work was taking place to review what the cost would be of restoring the hall, although it was expected that the cost would be very high.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the addition of Woodbank Hall to the list of Assets of Community Value, subject to the criteria set out in Section 88 of the Localism Act 2011.