Staffordshire County Council to sell off former youth centre

A former youth centre and services building are set to be sold off by Staffordshire County Council.

The authority’s property sub-committee gave the go-ahead to a number of sales and leases at its meeting this month.

Most of the items were considered during closed meeting sessions, but details have now been made public.

Here are the decisions made by the committee.

Former Rugeley Youth Centre sale

Rugeley Community Church Limited, which currently leases the Burnthill Lane centre, put in an offer to buy the site which was approved.

Local county councillor Alan Dudson told the committee of the “valuable contribution which the centre and the lessees made to the well being of the community”, a report said.

More than 30 Staffordshire County Council-run youth centres closed in 2014 following cuts to youth services.

Leek County Services Building sale

A previous offer for the Fountain Street building was withdrawn. The site was re-marketed and a new offer was received.

The committee has now agreed to sell the building to PAJ Property Agency.

Manor Hill First School lease

The Stone school is set to be leased to an academy trust. The committee agreed to grant a 125 year lease at a peppercorn (minimal) rent in line with the expectations of the Department for Education for schools converting to academy status

Tutbury Youth Centre lease

The committee agreed to renew the lease of the former youth centre for a further 10 years at a peppercorn rental to Tutbury Old School Community Association Limited.

Local county councillor Philip White reported on “valuable community work being carried out at the centre”, a report said.

Earlier this month it was reported that Staffordshire County Council had sold off public buildings and land valued at more than £47m in the space of just over four years.

Figures obtained by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) through a Freedom of Information request revealed that the county council sold off 87 assets between 2014 and July 31 2018, including former school buildings and land, day centres and youth centres.

Councillor Mark Deaville, Cabinet Member for Commercial said "As a well-run council, we are committed to getting the best use of our empty and underused building to get the best return for taxpayers and the best results for Staffordshire people.

"Since 2016, like all authorities we have been able to use capital receipts more flexibly to allow us to support transformation projects to help achieve these goals.

"We don’t sell properties simply to generate capital receipts. Instead, we constantly review our properties and dispose of anything that is deemed surplus to requirements."

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