Agenda item

To consider options for the future use of Stroud Cemetery Chapel.

The Property Manager introduced the report and confirmed that the cemetery had been transferred to Stroud Town Council in 2017 but the Chapel, a Grade II listed building, had been retained by the District Council. The Chapel was currently a vacant asset with no operational use. A previous decision by Strategy and Resources Committee had led to an agreement to dispose of the Chapel on the open market. Many objections were received following the advertising of the intention to dispose of the Chapel on the open market. Following the public consultation event in 2019, the Council offered the community time to formulate a proposal. In October 2020 Committee resolved to agree terms for a transfer of the Cemetery Chapel to the Stroud Preservation Trust (SPT) for £1 subject to detailed feasibility studies. Over the last 2 years the SPT commissioned a feasibility study and concluded that it wouldn’t be financially viable to fully repair and convert the Chapel to best contemporary standards. However, the feasibility study suggested that short term uses would be possible if essential works (estimated at £29-50K) were carried out. The SPT had since approached the Council and requested a lease of between 5 and 7 years. They also advised that the works would only be possible with a Grant of £75K from the Council, this would allow the Trust to raise funds by using it as match funding.

Councillor Turner asked for further information regarding the £5k per annum for the planned maintenance programme which the SPT had asked the Council to continue paying.  The Property Manager confirmed that it would cover a range of activity including electrical checks, graffiti removal, gutter and septic tank clearance.

Councillor Stephen Davies asked whether the SPT had advised what they had hoped to use the building for. The Property Manager advised that the use had not been decided but considerations were being made for exhibitions, pop up café’s and open days etc. In response to a further question regarding the cost of repairs the Property Manager advised that the feasibility study had included all of the expected costs and that the building was in a relatively good condition but would require a lot of money for repairs and maintenance in the longer term.

In response to Councillor Craig, the Property Manager confirmed that they could build annual reviews of progress into the terms of lease and could look at this during the negotiations.

Councillor Pearson asked what the Council would need to do if they were unable to agree a further lease after 5 years. The Property Manager advised that they would consider all options but it would be likely that the Chapel would need to be put on the open market.

Proposed by the Chair, Councillor Braun, and seconded by Councillor Bennett

Councillor Turner drew Members attention to Paragraph 2.3 and stated that it was a fantastic opportunity to work with a dedicated Trust who would help to bring the building back into a useable condition.

Councillor Craig also confirmed he was happy to support the proposal and requested that Officers ensured that regular reviews took place to provide assurance that the required works were being carried out.

The Chair invited Councillor Hurst to speak during the meeting. Councillor Hurst advised the Committee that due to the position of the Chapel within the Cemetery it would be difficult to find alternative uses for the building. He stated that it was the responsibility of the Council to ensure the ongoing wellbeing of the building and that he was pleased that a workable scheme had been proposed.

Councillor Bennett thanked Officers for the report and was pleased that the opportunity proposed would allow time for the SPT and Council to consider further options for the building.

Councillor Braun advised that the community had clearly told the Council that they did not want the building to be sold on the open market and hoped that there would be a positive future with SPT.

On being put to the vote, the Motion was carried unanimously.