A public question for Medway RAFA

Something tells me the public were unaware of the rent policy Medway Council operates with regards to charities – or at least that’s the impression I got when I asked my supplementary question at council tonight.

My original question was intentionally vague, with the aim of ensuring that the?respondent, Cllr Alan Jarrett, would have no idea what the supplementary question would contain:

What is Medway Council’s policy with regards to leasing council-owned properties to charities and charitable organisations?

The answer from the Portfolio Holder for Finance was exactly what those of us “in the know” expected – that Medway Council has no policy, and that each case is assessed on its individual merits.

Of course, my supplementary question was much less vague:

Building No.4 Riverside in Chatham is owned by Medway Council and leased to the Medway Towns Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association. Does the Portfolio Holder think that it is fair that such a charity should be forced to pay Medway Council?almost??2000 in rent? If so, how does he expect such a charity to meet such a demand, and what message does this send to the service community?

The response from Cllr Jarrett was not expected. Naturally, he does not know the exact figures, but he does know that the “RAFA Club” (his words, not mine) has had difficulties in paying the “extortionate rent” (my words, not his) and believes that Medway Council has done everything to help the RAFA Club. However, he promised to look into the case personally.

The last part of my supplementary was an afterthought. However, it was very poignant following the question from Labour’s River Ward candidate, John Jones. The fact is, the RAFA Club is not just used by Medway RAFA, but also by the Medway branches of the Royal Tank Regiment Association and the Submariners Association, as well as other community groups.

The fact remains, however, that no matter how many organisations use the facilities, the Club will continue to struggle to meet the disgusting rent demand from Medway Council – and that is an issue that urgently needs addressing.

I am reserving my full judgement on tonight’s events until we have heard more from Cllr Jarrett (and had the official record of the questions and answers from the meeting). However, the aim of the exercise was completed the second the one or two gasps emanated from the public gallery.

The fight continues.