Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of personal interest.

RESOLVED that the decision record of the meeting held on the 11^th April, 2016 be signed as a correct record.

The Executive Board Member considered a report providing details of proposed lease agreements for Family Centres.

The Authority has five Family Centres which use Housing Revenue Account properties as a base.  These Family Centres are located at Betws, Garnant, South Cefncaeau and two in Carmarthen and were initially set up using the Sure Start initiative monies.  The aim of the Family Centres is to provide support to families.  Parents are offered courses on various subjects including language and play, healthy eating, computer courses and parenting.  Families are provided with a range of activities including craft activities family fund days, outdoor play and lunch clubs.  The Family Centres offer a safe space where the individual needs of children, parents and carers are respected and supported.

The centres are heavily reliant on funding and without the granting of a lease, they will be unable to draw down on funds awarded to them or apply for future funding.  In order to continue to operate as Family Centres, it was essential that they had a formal lease agreement in place. 

A model lease had been produced which set out the terms of the agreement.  With this in place the Family Centres could apply for external funding or where there were existing arrangements in place, draw down on the money awarded. 

RESOLVED that the five Family Centres identified in the report continue to use the properties within the Housing Revenue Account portfolio, on the terms and conditions detailed in the lease agreement.