Estates Management
Contents
- Estates Management
- Voluntary, Community, Social Enterprise, and Faith Group Property
Voluntary, Community, Social Enterprise, and Faith Group Property
We recognise the vital contribution of voluntary, community, social enterprise, and faith-based groups (collectively referred to as VCS organisations) in strengthening communities, supporting vulnerable residents, and delivering valued local services.
To support this work, we make certain Council‑owned properties available for eligible VCS organisations. This is in line with our VCS use of property policy.
What is VCS property?
VCS property includes Council‑owned buildings or spaces that can be leased to organisations providing demonstrable community benefit.
These spaces may be used for:
- community centres or hubs
- social enterprise premises
- office or outreach spaces
- spaces for faith or cultural activity
- meeting places or service delivery sites
The Council will maintain three lists of property available to VCS organisations:
- Type 1: property intended for community sporting use
- Type 2: other property intended for community use
- Type 3: Property not intended for community use, but currently not required for its primary purpose, where offering it to VCS groups may mitigate Council holding costs
Who can apply?
Applications are welcome from the following types of organisations:
- charity under the law of England & Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland
- community benefit society (or former industrial & provident society not operating as a co‑operative)
- community interest company (CIC) with a no‑distribution rule
- company registered in the UK with community‑purpose articles and a no‑distribution rule
- Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) registered with HMRC
- unincorporated association with community‑benefit rules and a no‑distribution rule
Organisations must be formally registered in one of these categories and able to provide evidence during application.
Register your interest
Eligible groups would need to complete the online application form before the relevant consideration date. This information can be found in the spreadsheet below, which lists the available VCS properties.
We will assess your application form based on the criteria set out in the VCS use of property policy. If successful, we might ask you for further documentation, including a business case.
Once the quarterly deadline passes, applications for each property are reviewed and scored using our current assessment matrix.
Key points:
- If only one application is received, it is treated as the highest‑scoring; a minimum threshold of 80% must still be met
- We will check applicants can meet key requirements, including managing the property and funding necessary works
- If the highest‑scoring applicant cannot demonstrate capacity, the next highest-scoring submission may be considered
- For high‑demand sites, an initial sift may remove applications unlikely to succeed
Applications are reviewed by the Property Panel, which may include representatives from:
- Property Strategy
- Community Safety, Engagement and Resettlement
- Sport, Leisure & Culture
- Northamptonshire Sport
- Northamptonshire Police
- Customer Services
- Regeneration
- Public Health
The Panel meets quarterly, with additional meetings arranged as needed. It oversees the process, ensures alignment with Council priorities, and recommends approvals to the Director of Assets and Environment.
Successful applicants will typically receive a lease based on the following principles:
- Market rent as baseline - properties are generally let at market value
- Concessionary rent - reduced rent may be considered where the organisation demonstrates community impact aligned with our priorities
- Legal tenure - properties are usually let via formal lease arrangements
Most VCS properties are offered under a Full Repairing and Insuring (FRI) lease, meaning:
- Repairing responsibilities - the tenant is responsible for internal and external maintenance, repairs, and general upkeep
- Insurance responsibilities - the tenant must arrange and pay for required building insurance, usually coordinated with us
What this means for your organisation
Your organisation must be able to:
- manage the day-to-day running of the property
- maintain it in a safe condition
- meet financial obligations (repairs, utilities, insurance, compliance)
We recommend applying only where your organisation has suitable capacity, but advice is available if you need support.
Contact us
If you need any help or more information, please contact us:
- telephone: 0300 126 1002 (Option 1)
- email: [email protected]
- complete our online enquiry form
You can also write to us at:
Property Strategy and Estates Department
West Northamptonshire Council
One Angel Square
Angel Street
Northampton
NN1 1ED
Last updated 21 May 2026