Cabinet considered the report regarding the proposed sale of a freehold.

The Chairman informed Cabinet that 13 Hillcrest Avenue was a small shop attached to residential property and was leased to the tenants on a 99-year lease from 4 April 2001 at a peppercorn rent.  There was a condition that the shop could not be closed for more then an three month continues period.  Terms had been agreed to sell the freehold interest in the property to the tenant.  He informed that he had mixed feeling on this decision as the shop was a valued community asset that he wished would stay open but the council had received a valid request from the leaseholder.

The Lead Member for Planning and Maidenhead said that he lived in a village where the number of small shops were very important for the local community, allowing older groups to shop locally and reducing the need for travel into Maidenhead.  He was concerned that the shop could be closed at the detriment of the local community as it was an important facility. 

The Deputy Leader of Council said she would second the paper but was concerned about the potential loss of the shop.  The property was on a long lease so she supported the recommendations.

The Lead Member for  Transport and Infrastructure informed that the property was in hi ward and thus he also had the concerns raised.  The shop was a local hub and the agreement in 2021 protected its continues use.  There was an agreement to maintain the use of the property as a shop but selling the freehold would remove this.  Maintaining the shop was important for the community and thus he would not be supporting the recommendations.

The Lead Member for Public Protection and Parking said that having lived in villages he understood the concerns raised.  Once you start loosing local amenities communities start to decay.  The clause had been put in place to protect residents losing this facility, he was concerned that this protection could be lost.

The Lead Member for Housing and Youth Engagement said that he agreed with what had been said and there was a difficult decision between the recommendations and the potential future lose of the shop. 

The Deputy Chairman of Cabinet also agreed with what had ben said as there was a clear concern about the lose of the shop if the freehold was sold.

The Lead Member for Environmental Services, Climate Change, Sustainability and Culture asked if a condition could be added that the shop be maintained.

The Chairman replied that such a condition could not be added to the sale of the freehold, we would have to rely on the goodwill of the leaseholder.  On balance he felt it was best to approve the recommendations within the report. 

Resolved that: Cabinet notes the report and:

i) Approves the sale of the freehold interest in 13 Hillcrest Avenue.

ii) Delegates authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Business, Economic Development & Property to negotiate the legal contracts required to complete the transactions.