COUNCIL chiefs have agreed a 30-year lease at a peppercorn rent to enable a £922,000 renovation project to go ahead at Warrington’s Centre for Independent Living.
Warrington Disability Partnership, which is based at the centre in Beaufort Street, will continue to rent the centre and its caretaker’s house – and the project is seen as a pilot which could lead to similar transfers of council-owned properties to voluntary or non-profit making organisations.
Coun Roy Smith, the borough council’s executive member for community services, said: “This is good news.
“It provides an opportunity for Warrington Disability Partnership to provide even more support to its clients.”
Council leader Ian Marks added: “This is clearly an excellent project.”
The council and Warrington Disability Partnership won a grant of £922,055 from the Big Lottery some time ago – subject to a number of conditions.
One of these was that the council and WDP agree a 30-year lease for the property in Beaufort Street.
Another is the provision of a capital delivery plan satisfying Big Lottery requirements. This has to be submitted by September 10.
Neil Anderson, the council’s head of leisure, culture and heritage, said the project was a pilot for further asset transfers to “third sector” voluntary organisations.
He said: “Similar transfers to this project will have major benefits for the council as the opportunity for the third sector to own and manage dedicated assets can make a real difference to the communities we support.
“Asset transfers will give groups security, peace of mind and more influence and power to improve the lives of their community members.”
Renovation of the Centre for Independent Living will enable WDP to expand the building and its services to meet the growing needs of new and existing users and create a local neighbourhood hub for the local community.
COUNCIL chiefs have agreed a 30-year lease at a peppercorn rent to enable a renovation project costing almost £1 million to go ahead at Warrington's Centre for Independent Living.
Peppercorn rent – to win £1m project
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
