Youth centre passed to scout group

A scout group will be passed the ownership of a youth centre after councillors gave their approval.

Much Wenlock Youth Centre was empty for seven years after it ceased to run the town’s youth club.

But the local scout group took up occupancy last November.

Now Shropshire Council’s cabinet has agreed to hand over the building to the scouts through community ownership.

Councillor David Turner, for Much Wenlock, told cabinet: “This has turned into a bit of an eyesore and therefore it is fantastic that the scouts will transform it and bring it back to life.

“It is something that has been of concern for a while and it is fantastic that this can happen. I am delighted and urge the cabinet to move it.”

Cllr Peter Nutting, leader of the council, added: “Everybody is for this and it seems a perfect opportunity to hand it over.

“I don’t think anybody would be against it.”

Mark Barrow, Shropshire Council’s director of place, recommended the council hands over the building to the scouts on a 99-year lease.

Mr Barrow said: “As part of the council’s core objective to strengthen our local towns and villages, the strategic asset management team are working with town and parish councils, as well as the voluntary sector, to enable the transfer of suitable land and buildings to community groups and organisations.

“The community asset transfer policy provides a framework and guidance to assess which transfers are viable and implement their transfer.

“The policy is to release, where appropriate, non-core assets, through freehold transfer or leasehold transfer, to communities, reducing revenue or maintenance burdens.

“A report summarising the assessment of an application made by 1st Much Wenlock Scout Group in respect of the Much Wenlock Youth Centre has been considered and the recommendation is to transfer the centre by way of an appropriate transfer which, in accordance with the CAT policy, is subject to cabinet approval.”

Mr Barrow’s report to the cabinet adds: “It is recommended that the organisation is granted a 99-year lease.

“The organisation is already operating in the building under a tenancy at will, has public support, and has demonstrated ongoing demand for local scout membership.

“The asset transfer will reduce the maintenance burden for Shropshire Council, which currently has full repairing and insuring liabilities.”

The move will save the council approximately £2,600 a year.