Issue details

Crawley Community Action (CCA), a voluntary and community sector infrastructure organisation, have a lease agreement (peppercorn rent) in place with the Council for The Orchard, 1-2 Gleneagles Court, Brighton Road, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 6AD, until December 2021.

CCA are seeking an extension to the lease agreement, forming part of their business model to deliver their future programme of work.

CCA sub-let part of the building to a number of other VCS organisations such as Citizens Advice and these organisations are entitled to six months notice from CCA to the proposed termination of their agreement.

CCA have historically received significant funding through the Council's Community Grants programme, however this ceased in 2021/22 in response to a change in focus by the Council, necessitated by financial pressures and subsequent budget reduction to the Grants programme. It should be noted that the favourable lease agreement is an "in kind" form of funding from the Council and as such will need to show clear outcomes for Crawley residents.

Further to this reduction in funding, Council Officers remain in positive dialogue with CCA to understand their future delivery model and how it meets Council priorities for residents and communities.