Decision details

Saltford Lawn Tennis Club (SLTC) has been in discussions with the Council for over 12 months regarding their current lease. SLTC have occupied the site for over 50 years and have a good track record of managing the facility.

In line with the Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy, SLTC have submitted an expression of interest. This has been assessed by officers and meets the objectives of the CAT.

Prior to a final decision being made, SLTC will be required to submit a Business Plan as part of Stage 3 of the CAT process.

Draft heads of terms have been prepared, the term required by SLTC is 99 years. Maintenance liabilities will be the responsibility of SLTC within the new lease.

Instruct officers to progress to stage 3 of the Community Asset Transfer process.

The main reasons for applying for a Community Asset Transfer are as follows:-

• Increase their land to accommodate a new Pavilion. Their existing Pavilion is small and in very poor condition. SLTC wish to replace it with a larger Pavilion which of similar construction to most other pavilions used by tennis clubs in the region.
• SLTC is affiliated to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). Until recently the Club was an unincorporated Sports Club. Unincorporated associations are unable to hold property and therefore the lease is held by individual members of the club, who hold all the responsibilities and personal liabilities.
• Provide long term security for the club in order to raise funds and reduce liabilities currently placed on individual members.

Doing nothing would not achieve the objectives set out above.

There were no other alternative options.