RESOLVED:

1.    That the Council take a surrender of the leasehold interest on the terms contained within the body of the Cabinet report.

The Cabinet Member presented the report, which set out a proposal to authorise the surrender of the leasehold interest in Virgin Active Health Club, Battle Close, SW19 1AQ on the main terms identified within the Cabinet report.  It was noted that the Council remained committed to providing leisure space for families, and that taking back control of the site would provide the Council with an opportunity to consider its future including possible development.

At the invitation of the Chair, Councillor Abdul Latif addressed the Cabinet on behalf of residents in his ward, who were concerned over the loss of a leisure facility and over a possible redevelopment of the site for high density housing; and therefore requested that the current leaseholder be forced to honour the lease.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration advised the Cabinet that the request to surrender the lease had been made by the current leaseholder, who did not consider the Battle Close site to be one which they could any longer operate.  Therefore the Council had a duty as the landowner to consider that request.  The Council did not have the authority to force the current operator to remain open.

Cabinet Members highlighted the need to distinguish between the decision to relinquish the lease; and the future use of the site which did not form part of the report.  This would be considered as part of the new Local Plan consultation, which would provide residents an opportunity to provide comments on the use of the site at that point. 

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Council take a surrender of the leasehold interest on the terms contained within the body of the Cabinet report.