COUNTY BOROUGH OF BLAENAU GWENT
REPORT TO: /LEADER AND MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
REPORT SUBJECT: /Adult and Community Learning Revenue Budget reductions and potential disposal of rassau resource centre, beaufort hill welfare hall and cwm centre
REPORT AUTHOR: /byron jones – HEAD OF OPERATIONS
LEAD OFFICER/ DEPARTMENT /L. PHILLIPS – head of education TRANSFORMATION and performance
Summary Report
1.0 /PURPOSE OF REPORT
The purpose of the report is to update Executive Committee on the issues surrounding the Adult Community Learning (ACL) revenue budget and the potential disposal of the Rassau Resource Centre, Beaufort Hill Welfare Hall and the Cwm Centre (Cwm Primary School site).2.0 /
LINK TO CORPORATE STRATEGIES
- Medium Term Financial Strategy- Acquisition and Disposal Policy
3.0 / SUMMARY/PROPOSALS
The Adult Community Learning (ACL) service has responsibility for the Rassau Resource Centre, Beaufort Welfare Hall and Cwm Centre buildings.
The revenue budget for the ACL service has been reduced by nearly 40% as the result of policy changes in Welsh Government. This will entail a reduction of approximately £420,000 over the two financial years 2014–16. The amount of savings identified for the 2014/2015 financial year is approximately £203,000.
The ACL programme will reduce from approximately 180 courses in 2013/14 to 102 in 2014/15. This will require fewer buildings with staff being utilised where redundancies have been taken. To achieve this level of savings the buildings highlighted in this report have been identified as surplus to requirements.This course of action was included in a savings report endorsed by C.M.T. on the 25th February 2014.
It is proposed that the buildings are dealt with in accordance with the Council’s Acquisitions and Disposal Policy.
The community groups/users of the buildings will be assisted in finding new premises or a community asset transfer agreed if a suitable group can be identified.
4.0 /
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that Executive endorses the following:· the 3 buildings identified in the report & associated land be declared surplus to requirements for the ACL service
· the 3 buildings are not included within the sub lease arrangements in establishment of Life Leisure Trust
· Youth Service to take over responsibility for Cwm Centre
· the Rassau Resource Centre & Beaufort Hill Welfare remain open until 31 March 2015 whilst the Council continues to explore potential community asset transfers
· the Rassau Resource Centre and Beaufort Hill Welfare be disposed of in accordance with the Council's Acquisitions & Disposal Policy should alternative transfer arrangements not materialise
HEAD OF EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION
AND PERFORMANCE
DETAILED REPORT
1. PURPOSE
1.1 The purpose of the report is to update Executive on the issues facing the ACL service and the potential disposal of the Rassau Resource Centre, Beaufort Hill Welfare Hall and Cwm Centre.
2. BACKGROUND
2.1 The Rassau Resource Centre was refurbished approximately 9 years ago at a cost of £450,000. The building has been the base for the ESF funded projects, a playgroup and nursery during this period. The main users at the Rassau are Acorns Nursery and Puddle ducks Playgroup. It is also the base for the ESF funded projects. In a recent building condition survey it was had an overall condition of B (Satisfactory). It has been established that due to the period of time since the use of Local Regeneration Funding (LRF) to refurbish the building there will be no clawback of grant. A request has been made by the Puddleducks Nursery for consideration of them taking responsibility for the building as a commercial enterprise. This request is being considered by the Estates Service in accordance with the Council’s approved Disposal Strategy. A meeting will be convened as soon as possible with the interested group.
2.2 The Beaufort Hill Welfare Hall is an old building with numerous maintenance and structural problems. Groups include: Mums and Toddlers, Puddle ducks, Martial Arts, PHAB Club and Dance. There may be the potential for a community asset transfer of this building. In a recent building condition survey it received an overall condition rating of C (Poor). The building has a covenant attached to its original transfer to Gwent County Council and the implications have been considered by the Legal service. This indicates that the Council would be at risk of challenge for breach of the covenant if the facility was closed. Community Asset Transfer (CAT) options are being explored and consultation with stakeholders has taken place and a further meeting has been convened for the 10th September 2014 to discuss the CAT option in more detail.
2.3 The Cwm Centre is attached to the Primary School and is currently only used by the Youth Service 2 nights a week. The building is in good condition and suitable for use as a community venue. There has not been a recent survey of the building. The Youth Service has now confirmed that they will take on full responsibility for this building, within their current budget, from 1st October 2014.
3. PRESENT POSITION
3.1 The savings identified for Adult Community Learning have now been confirmed as £420,000 over two financial years. The adult education programme is being reduced by nearly 40% which will require fewer venues.
3.2 A further report on how the ACL service will be provided in the longer term is being submitted to CMT and the Executive for consideration. The report is being presented as the savings were not part of the business case for the Trust and consequently the risks involved will need to be mitigated by the Council and the LLT.
3.3 The three buildings have been identified by the Learning Services Management team as surplus to requirements by appraising all options available (Appendix 1).
3.4 There has been initial dialogue with interested parties involved with the buildings, who have been contacted and made aware of the disposal proposals. Discussions have taken place with the Social Services Families First team for both Rassau and Cwm to be taken in as part of their programme development. These discussions have not been successful at Rassau because finance could not be identified to take on the building, however further discussion has taken place with Puddleducks who are now keen to explore how they can take over responsibility for the Rassau Resource Centre as a commercial enterprise . Discussions have now concluded with respect to Cwm where the Youth Service has confirmed their intention to take on responsibility for the building. Beaufort Hill Welfare Hall has a number of groups that will need to be relocated, should disposal of the building be approved.
3.5 The Council’s Corporate Asset Management Working Group (CAMWG) need to dispose of non-essential buildings, so that funds can be diverted to essential buildings.
3.6 A public consultation meeting was held at the Welfare Hall on Tuesday 10th June. The meeting was well attended and the current position and possible options for the future were discussed .It was agreed that a further meeting will take place when any decision has been taken on the proposals in this report. Some of the issues raised during the meeting included; capacity of local residents to take on the management of the building, concern over the loss of a facility used by young people of the area, amount of costs associated with the building and the implications of the agreement made to maintain the building “in perpetuity” a further meeting has been convened for the 10th September 2014.
4. PROPOSAL
It is, therefore, proposed that Executive endorses the following:
· the 3 buildings identified in the report & associated land be declared surplus to requirements for the ACL service
· the 3 buildings are not included within the sub lease arrangements in establishment of Life Leisure Trust
· Youth Service to take over responsibility for Cwm Centre
· the Rassau Resource Centre & Beaufort Hill Welfare remain open until 31 March 2015 whilst the Council continues to explore potential community asset transfers
· the Rassau Resource Centre and Beaufort Hill Welfare be disposed of in accordance with the Council's Acquisitions & Disposal Policy should alternative transfer arrangements not materialise
5. STATEMENT ON FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
· retaining the buildings will result in a cost pressure for the Council
· If the buildings remain with the Council some of the savings identified as a result of transferring to the Trust will not be achieved i.e. £13,400 NNDR charges
· a limited budget of £10,000 will be required to cover ongoing premises costs until 31 March 2015
· there is the possibility of redundancy costs associated with these options.
· Current costs for these buildings are approximately £65,000 per annum (staffing & running costs) which will be saved following closure and / or disposal of the buildings
6. STATEMENT ON PERSONNEL/STAFFING IMPLICATIONS
6.1 Four members of staff will be at risk of redundancy if these proposals are accepted.
6.2 Discussions are taking place with Organisational Development, union representatives and staff on this process.
6.3 TUPE implications will have to be considered as part of any transfer agreements.
6.4 There will be staff time involved in dealing with any transfers of property which will need to be considered in the context of other corporate priorities.
7. STATEMENT ON CONSULTATION WITH OTHER
DEPARTMENTS
Consultation undertaken with Organisation Development, Estates Section, Social Services and Education.
8. STATEMENT CONFIRMING THAT CONSIDERATION
HAS BEEN GIVEN TO
All appropriate legislation pertaining to the disposal of Council assets has been considered at this stage..
9. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the Executive Committee are asked to consider:
9.1 Rassau Resource Centre and Cwm are both in good state of repair and are viable community facilities.
9.2 The costs associated with both buildings are reasonable, but make a significant contribution (c £65,000) to the savings required in ACL.
9.3 The Beaufort Hill Welfare Hall requires major capital investment as outlined in the condition survey.
9.4 The buildings will be declared surplus to requirements for the ACL service.
9.5 Both buildings (Rassau and Beaufort Hill Welfare Hall) will remain open while community asset transfer options can be considered.
HEAD OF EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION
AND PERFORMANCE
1
Appendix 1
Options Appraisal for ACL Buildings Closure Programme 2014
The following buildings provide venues for the adult community learning programme in Blaenau Gwent at the moment and are supported by the ACL budget.
The courses delivered through the franchise with Coleg Gwent all contribute towards targets set by Coleg Gwent in both the main and welsh programmes. If the targets are achieved the agreed income is generated to support the programme.
The main criteria used in selecting the buildings that have been proposed for closure were:
o Provision of franchised courses
o Ability to generate income
o Condition of the building
o Location of the building
Name / Location / Provision / Comments / Option /Abertillery LAC / Comprehensive School site / Franchise courses incl welsh
Clubs
Economic courses
GP referral scheme / New facility. Provides a range of courses including franchise courses / Retain
Abertillery Youth Centre / Station Road / Youth Club
Childcare
Bowls / No adult education provision / Transfer to LIFT Project
Blaina Institute LAC / High St Blaina / Franchise courses incl welsh
Clubs
Library in building
Heritage Centre/ Museum / New facility. Provides a range of courses including franchise courses / Retain
Brynmawr LAC / The Square Brynmawr / Franchise courses incl welsh
Clubs
Economic courses / New facility. Provides a range of courses including franchise courses / Retain
Beaufort Hill Welfare Hall / Beaufort Hill / PHAB club
Dance
Martial Arts / No franchise courses.
Limited income, high risk of capital investment. / Propose closure/CAT transfer
Rassau Resource Centre / School Road Rassau / Base for ESF projects
Playgroup
Child Day-care
Basic Skills Team / No franchise courses. / Propose closure/CAT transfer
Ebbw Vale LAC / James St E Vale / Franchise courses incl welsh
Clubs
Economic courses / New facility. Provides a range of courses including franchise courses / Retain
Brynteg Youth Club / Brynteg Terrace E Vale / Youth Club
IT courses
Childcare provision / Refurbished recently.
Good range of facilities
Well used in the day and evening / Retain
Cwm Centre / Canning St Cwm / Youth Club / Very little use
No franchise courses. / Transfer to Youth Service
1