Issue - meetings

To update the Trustees of the Barham Park Charity on potential improvements including a feasibility study into future uses of the Barham Park buildings and options for improving the open space.  This will help ensure the Barham Park Trust fulfils its aim ‘to preserve the same for the recreation of the public in such a manner and subject to such regulation in all respects as the Council may from time to time think proper’. 

(i)         that the Trustees approve a £30,000 budget to develop an option appraisal, project management plan and feasibility study for the future uses of the Barham Park buildings and options for improving the open space.  This will be funded from the Barham Park Trust income from the sale of 776 and 778 Harrow Road;

(ii)        that following approval of recommendation (i) by the Trustees, officers will obtain the necessary approvals from the Charity Commission to spend the Trust funds;

(iii)       that the Trustees ask officers to advertise (at the appropriate time) the proposed letting of public open space (as set out in paragraph 5.5 below) under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 and if in the opinion of the Assistant Director - Property and Asset Management, there are significant objections to report back to the Trustees for it to consider.

Councillor Lorber (Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group) addressed the meeting in relation to the report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services which provided an update on potential improvements to Barham Park and sought approval for a feasibility study into the future use of Barham Park buildings and options for improving the space. Councillor Lorber questioned whether expenditure of £30,000 a feasibility study was a good use of the Charity’s funding particularly as a number of studies had been commissioned over the years. He felt that the proceeds from the disposal of the associated cottages was a capital receipt which belonged to the Trust and questioned the implication in the report that compliance with terms of use stipulated by the Trust was optional. Councillor Lorber put that the council’s use of the park and buildings had to be regularised, that every day spent empty was a financial loss to the Charity and asked that approaches from voluntary organisations to occupy the premises be taken seriously. He stated that the Children’s Centre on the site was at risk following the closure of Barham Library and urged the Executive to listen to the community.

Councillor Powney (Lead Member, Environment and Neighbourhoods) responded that it was reasonable to use funding from the capital receipt for the purpose of a feasibility study which would also help the council to regularise its position in the use of the property. The council wished to have the legal position clearly defined to ensure compliance. Councillor Powney outlined the recommendations in the report and commended them to the Executive.

RESOLVED:-

(i)         that the Trustees approve a £30,000 budget to develop an option appraisal, project management plan and feasibility study for the future uses of the Barham Park buildings and options for improving the open space.  This would be funded from the Barham Park Trust income from the sale of 776 and 778 Harrow Road;

(ii)        that following approval of recommendation (i) by the Trustees, officers will obtain the necessary approvals from the Charity Commission to spend the Trust funds;

(iii)       that the Trustees ask officers to advertise (at the appropriate time) the proposed letting of public open space under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 and if in the opinion of the Assistant Director - Property and Asset Management, there are significant objections to report back to the Trustees for it to consider.