The Portfolio Holder for Business, ip&e, Culture and Commissioning (North) and the Portfolio Holder for Resources, Finance and Support considered a report on the Future Management of Shifnal Library, Customer Services Point, Aston Street and Kings Yard Car Parks, Aston Street Allotment and Public Open Spaces in Shifnal.

1.     That the management of Shifnal Library be transferred from Shropshire Council to Shifnal Town Council from an agreed start date. This agreement will run for 3 years and be supported by a contract between Shropshire Council and Shifnal Town Council.

2.     That the management of the Customer Service Point be transferred from Shropshire Council to Shifnal Town Council from an agreed start date, similarly supported by a three year contract.

3.     That authority be delegated to the Director of Commissioning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Business, ip&e, Culture and Commissioning (North) to take any further consequential decisions relating to the transfer of the library.

4.     That authority be delegated to the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Resources, Finance and Support to take any further consequential decisions relating to the transfer  of the customer service point

5.     That, in principle, Shifnal Town Council are granted a 125 year lease of the following assets the library building, the car parks at Aston Street and Kings Yard, the Aston Street allotment and areas of Public Open Space at Admirals Close, Dyas Close, Beech Drive (2 areas), Laburnum Close, Wyke Way (3 areas), Careswell Garden, Bridgnorth Road and Applebrook (4 areas) and that authority be delegated to the Head of Commercial Services to complete the appropriate due diligence, including consideration of the process for open space notices and seeking secretary of state approval to transfer allotments if appropriate, agree final terms of the lease and to complete the transaction.

6.     That authority be delegated to the Head of Commercial Services to consider the transfer of the assets set out at Recommendation 2 (5) above both in the context of the General Disposal Consent 2003 (“the General Consent”) which permits local authorities to transfer land at less than their market value under appropriate conditions and ensure the transfer is in compliance with state aid rules.