Lead Member: Councillor Roger Evans, Portfolio Holder for Finance

Lead Officer: Kassandra Polyzoides, Interim Service Director – Place Shaping

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Declared the Whitchurch Civic Centre and Library site, edged red at Appendix A, surplus to the Council’s operational requirements, for the reasons set out in sections 4 and 5 of this report, and having regard to the capital requirement and continuing maintenance and holding liabilities set out in section 4.  

2.     Approved its in-principle disposal, subject to the due diligence described in section 5, the financial and policy requirements in section 9, and the legal and statutory requirements in section 10, and in accordance with the Asset Disposal Policy within the Financial Sustainability and Recovery Strategy approved by Cabinet on 8 July 2026.  

3.     Delegated authority to the Service Director for Place Shaping, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and the Portfolio Holders for Finance and Assets, to determine and implement the disposal strategy and secure the best consideration reasonably obtainable.  

4.     Noted that officers and the Portfolio Holder will continue to engage with the Members for the Whitchurch electoral divisions, Whitchurch Town Council and other interested parties as the disposal strategy progresses. 

It was agreed to bring this item forward to this point in the meeting.

After declaring an interest, Councillor Hall left the meeting for the duration of this item.

Cabinet considered a report on the future of Whitchurch Civic Centre and noted that, despite previous assumptions regarding potential capital investment, no funded scheme had been identified to undertake the necessary repairs. Members acknowledged the importance of the building to the local community but were advised that the Council’s severe financial position meant it could not afford the significant capital investment required to bring the building back into use.

Members confirmed that community-led proposals would continue to be welcomed and that engagement with local councillors, Whitchurch Town Council and other stakeholders would continue as the disposal process progressed. It was emphasised that any future proposal would need to be fully funded, deliverable and legally compliant.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Declared the Whitchurch Civic Centre and Library site, edged red at Appendix A, surplus to the Council’s operational requirements, for the reasons set out in sections 4 and 5 of this report, and having regard to the capital requirement and continuing maintenance and holding liabilities set out in section 4.  

2.     Approved its in-principle disposal, subject to the due diligence described in section 5, the financial and policy requirements in section 9, and the legal and statutory requirements in section 10, and in accordance with the Asset Disposal Policy within the Financial Sustainability and Recovery Strategy approved by Cabinet on 8 July 2026.  

3.     Delegated authority to the Service Director for Place Shaping, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and the Portfolio Holders for Finance and Assets, to determine and implement the disposal strategy and secure the best consideration reasonably obtainable.  

4.     Noted that officers and the Portfolio Holder will continue to engage with the Members for the Whitchurch electoral divisions, Whitchurch Town Council and other interested parties as the disposal strategy progresses.