Issue - meetings

To agree that the Council enters into leases of property from the Barham Park Trust (BPT) as offered at the Trust meeting of 13 February 2013; and to authorise officers to grant a sub-lease of those properties as appropriate.

(i)         that the Brent Council enter into three leases of buildings for lease terms in accordance with details set out in Paragraphs 3.8 -3.20 of the report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Growth. Final terms to be approved by the Strategic Director;

(ii)        that the Executive authorise the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Growth to approve terms for a sub-leaseor assignment of a lease of the card room as appropriate along the lines set out in the Director’s report;

(iii)       that the Vets be offered a sub-lease of the snooker and billiard room to regularise their use of Barham Park in accordance with the council’s policy on use of council premises by voluntary organisations and that the terms and rental cost be discussed and agreed between the Operational Director Property and Projects and the Vets, in consultation with the Leader of the Council;

(iv)       that the Executive authorise officers to advertise in a local newspaper the disposal by way of the sub-lease(s) of those properties forming part of open space under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 and if in the opinion of the Operational Director Property and Projects there are significant objections in respect of the loss of open space to refer those substantive objections back to the Executive to consider.

The report before the Executive from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Growth proposed that the Council enter into leases of property from the Barham Park Trust (BPT) as offered at the Trust meeting of 13 February 2013; and that officers be authorised to grant a sub-lease of those properties as appropriate.

Richard Barrett (Assistant Director, Property and Asset Management) outlined the proposals which involved three units within the Barham Park Building complex referred to as the Children’s Centre, the Card Room and the Barham Park Veterans Accommodation. The council would enter into leases for the buildings and then sub-lease to individuals where appropriate. The council would continue to use part of the building as a Children’s Centre. It was proposed that the council would offer the Veterans Association a four year sub lease for the areas comprising the snooker room initially rent free for one year rising gradually to full market rent at the end of the period. The third space, the Card Room was considered suitable for a café.

With the consent of the Executive, Mr R Patel addressed the meeting on behalf of Barham Veterans Association. He stated that the Club had been established since 1947 and had been council run until 2000. The expenses had fallen on the Vets who were not a commercial organisation and whose members were pensioners. Mr Patel advised that most of their activities took place in the Card Room and so any change of use would be a loss.

Councillor Lorber (Ward Councillor, Leader of the Opposition) expressed regret that the Vets and the Club had only recently had sight of the report and had not had the opportunity for proper discussion; indeed there had been no consultation since February 2013. They were only recently advised that they would no longer have use of the Card Room. This was in contrast with indications given 18 months previously and also agreements negotiated with the former Parks Manager which had involved free lets and evening use. Councillor Lorber questioned the need to enter into a leasing arrangement, and the motivation behind the proposal to seek planning permission for change of use to allow leasing to the charity ACAVA. He drew attention to the former library sites at Kensal Rise and Cricklewood where planning permission had been refused due to the loss of community space. He also questioned the assessment of the market rent which now was assessed to be one third of an earlier independent assessment and whether it could have been set at a level that was more beneficial to the Trust. Councillor Lorber urged the Executive to defer consideration of the report so that proper consideration could be given. Ms Gaynor Lloyd (Sudbury resident) questioned the proposed legal arrangements for the use of the park depot and whether these would create difficulties in the future.

In response, Richard Barrett (Assistant Director, Property and Asset Management) clarified that negotiations commenced approximately 15-20 months previously, could not been progressed further in the absence  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6