Decision details

Decision Maker: Corporate Director (Place & Wellbeing) & Deputy Chief Executive

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

The rent increase was presented to Cabinet on the 17th February 2023 to support inflationary costs and increased operational costs due to wear and tear as the building is used more often and to ensure it is sustainable in year 3 of opening.
This building sits on HRA land and it is required to be self-sufficient and not reliant on funding from within this account as stated in the attached report.
This increase will take effect as tenants licences come up for renewal over the financial year 2026/27 and for all new tenants during this period.
This decision has been concurred via email, by Cllr Ivan Henderson, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism.

Decision:

To increase the rent for the tenants at the Sunspot by 3% as recommended in the Cabinet report dated 17th February 2023.
This increase will take effect as tenants' licences come up for renewal over the financial year 2026/27 and for all new tenants during this period.
This decision has been made to ensure the income covers increases in the operational costs of the building due to inflation and wear and tear.

Alternative options considered:

To ensure the building is a viable, self-sufficient asset and therefore secure during the transition to a unitary authority.

Publication date: 13/03/2026

Date of decision: 12/03/2026