Issue - meetings

This report explains that the next step of the  Community Asset Transfer in respect of the Tenterden Sports Pavilion is for Cabinet to grant authority to market the asset as a CAT opportunity.

(i)         that the marketing of the Tenterden Pavilion and associated playing fields be approved as a CAT opportunity;

(ii)        that it be noted that the subsequent granting of the lease will be to the preferred CAT bidder, following marketing through a non binding informal tender process with the final decision to let the asset on the agreed terms to be approved by Cabinet;

(iii)       that Officers advertise in the local newspaper in accordance with Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 the land shown edged red on the Site Plan Appendix III attached to the report and in the event of objections they be considered by the Strategic Director unless in the opinion of the Strategic Director significant objections are received in which case this should be reported back to the Cabinet for consideration;

(iv)       that a planning condition be included that stipulates that no area associated with the Pavilion should be left available when the facility is not in use and that the design of the new facility should be developed to discourage any anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Butt welcomed Mr David Daniels and Mr David Pearson to the meeting and invited them to present their deputation.

Mr Daniels informed Cabinet that he spoke on behalf of a number of Tenterden Area Local Residents. Mr Daniels stated that, whilst he welcomed the proposal being made, there is a critical issue relating to Anti-Social Behaviour which the Cabinet should be aware of, if not already.

Mr Daniels reported that, thanks to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Butt, and Councillor Pavey, in his capacity as Barnhil Ward Councillor, much anti-social behaviour had now been eliminated in the area close to the Pavilion.

Councillor McLennan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Development, introduced the report stating that through the Council’s Community Asset Transfer (CAT) policy, the Tenterden Sports Pavilion and associated playing fields was the subject of an Expression of Interest (EOI) by Forest United (1973) Youth Football Club Limited. She stated that this EOI has been evaluated and has passed the relevant tests as outlined in the CAT policy. The next step of the decision making process is for Cabinet to grant authority to market the asset as a CAT opportunity.

Councillor McLennan stated that the CAT policy had been launched in July 2015. It outlined a framework that supports the identification, transfer and sustainable management of Council assets by Third Sector Organisations (TSOs). It encouraged TSOs to approach the Council with proposals for assets by submitting a completed Expression of Interest (EOI) template, which summarised their vision for the asset including how the intended use and supported Borough Plan 2015-19 priorities.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that the marketing of the Tenterden Pavilion and associated playing fields be approved as a CAT opportunity;

(ii)        that it be noted that the subsequent granting of the lease will be to the preferred CAT bidder, following marketing through a non binding informal tender process with the final decision to let the asset on the agreed terms to be approved by Cabinet;

(iii)       that officers advertise in the local newspaper in accordance with Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 the land shown edged red on the Site Plan Appendix III attached to the report and in the event of objections they be considered by the Strategic Director unless in the opinion of the Strategic Director significant objections are received in which case this should be reported back to the Cabinet for consideration;

(iv)       that a planning condition be included that stipulated that no area associated with the Pavilion should be left available when the facility is not in use and that the design of the new facility should be developed to discourage any anti-social behaviour.