Decision details

Saltford Lawn Tennis Club has run the Tennis facility for over 50 years. The club provides three all-weather courts. They provide a range of community based activities including court hire, free tennis sessions as well as coaching programmes working with Team Bath, from the University of Bath. The Community Asset Transfer will be a 99 year lease. Annual rent will be abated to a peppercorn subject to the club satisfying the Council that they will use the site for the purposes set out in their Business Plan.

The Cabinet Member agrees to delegate authority to the Head of Estates authority for;

•  completing the disposal of Saltford Lawn Tennis Club into a final lease in line with the Heads of Terms attached.

•  abating the rent to a peppercorn subject to Saltford Lawn Tennis Club satisfying the Council that they will use the site for the purposes set out in their Business Plan.

The CAT is offered on a lease term of 99 years and liabilities for maintenance costs will be transferred to SLTC with the exception of the hedge which borders the car park.  The Council will retain liability for this part.  The rent will be abated to a peppercorn.  This will be subject to SLTC continuing to deliver against their business plan.  A partnership agreement will form part of the lease which will set out the commitments that SLTC will be required to meet. 

This proposal is in line with the Council’s policy regarding Community Asset Transfers the aim of which is to help secure community benefits in line with the Council priorities and objectives.

A number of tenancy options have been explored with SLTC, however the Community Asset Transfer has been considered the most appropriate option to support the long term objectives of the club and the Council’s Corporate objectives.

This option enables the community to retain a valuable resource and enable the club to develop their facilities and provide long term security.