On Tuesday 12 July, Thurrock Council's Corporate Overview and Scrutiny committee is set to consider a paper discussing the future of several their properties. Members of the committee will hear of the success of the council's last asset release programme, which generated capital receipts totalling £9.3million in the 2021/22 financial year.
The council's '3R' policy – Release, Reuse, Retain – is reviewing and releasing a number of surplus and under-used properties wherever possible. This could be by private sale, public auction, tender or on a leasehold basis.
The assets within this latest tranche represent a mix of locations and uses, including scout huts and village halls that are currently leased to community bodies.
Cllr Mark Coxshall, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and External Affairs, said: "As a council we have a responsibility to keep a close eye on our estate, ensuring our buildings are fit for purpose, financially viable and are offering benefit to our services and our communities.
"With this latest report we will be taking a view on how we can best support some of our local community groups to take ownership of the buildings they know, love, and frequently use.
"By empowering the scouts and our local village hall committees to have full ownership – at no cost – of these buildings, we are putting the power in their hands to better determine the future without any council interference. We are also ensuring their buildings can stand for years to come without any threat of being handed over for development.
"Carrying out the 3R policy will also determine sites that would offer greater benefit if they were repurposed, such as being given over for the development of much needed council homes, as to make Thurrock a great place to live, work and play."
Following Corporate Overview and Scrutiny committee, the paper will be discussed by Thurrock Council Cabinet on Wednesday 13 July, where final recommendations will be made.
To read the 'Asset review and 3Rs' reports, go to Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, 12 July 2022.