Westmorland and Furness Council has stressed its commitment to securing a future with partners for Barrow’s Nan Tait Centre.
The building is among 10 of the council’s land and building assets which were declared surplus at a meeting of the council’s Cabinet (14 July) – a first step in a potential transfer into community ownership.
A number of charities and community organisations are based in the Abbey Road building and the council has confirmed it has already held discussions with them about future options.
At the Cabinet meeting in Appleby, Cllr Andrew Jarvis, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, said while the Grade II listed building may not be needed for council services in the future, no one wanted to see it standing empty.
He said: “The council owns a huge number of assets. Over time some of these fall out of use, but we do not want to see dilapidated and unused buildings in our community.
“Sometimes we have an asset that is being used by community, where partners or parishes are interested in exploring taking on the asset as a Community Asset Transfer – giving them the opportunity to have a long-term interest in an asset, so that they can manage and develop it to their needs.
“This is the case with the Nan Tait Centre. Our interest here is to take further our discussions with the partners, there is absolutely no intention of selling off this building or closing it.
“The necessary first step is for us to declare an asset as surplus to current service needs. This gives effect to the Community Asset Transfer policy, and if applicable to then follow the Property Disposal Policy.”
Also included in the list of assets declared surplus were former public conveniences in Ambleside, Cartmel and Milnthorpe.
Cllr Jarvis added: “We want to hear from community organisations if they have proposed uses for these assets. We want to make the best use of these assets for our community and council.”
A surplus assets site map is available to view in the agenda pack for 14 July Cabinet meeting.