Issue - items at meetings - Stanmer Park Programme: Update and Next Steps in Relation to Funding, Home Farm Redevelopment and Management Structure

Report of the Acting Executive Director for Environment, Development & Housing (copy attached).

1)        That Committee agrees in principle to the proposal in the report relating to the disposal of identified non-core agricultural assets to support the funding of the redevelopment of the traditional agricultural buildings in Stanmer.

2)        That Committee instructs officers to bring a report back to Committee for final approval following the outcome of the development appraisal review that details the disposals and the funding proposal referred to in 2.1 above.              

3)        That the Committee authorises the Assistant Director Property & Design to commission a consultant to prepare a review of the Development Appraisal of the Traditional Agricultural Buildings to evaluate the cost of developing the buildings to meet the council’s objectives as set out in the Cabinet Report dated April 2012.  In addition, surveys will be required of the buildings in preparation of the works to be completed.  A revised proposal and recommendation for the development of the Traditional Agricultural Buildings will be presented to Policy & Resources Committee at a later date for the Committee to consider, following completion of the revised Development Appraisal.

4)        That the Committee authorises the Acting Executive Director Environment Development & Housing, Assistant Director Property & Design and Head of Legal Services to approve terms for the disposal of 3 surplus corporate landlord assets, (client City Parks) to support the re-location of the Stanmer Park depot, set out in Appendix 1B part two of this report .

5)        That Committee notes the progress made in considering an alternative management structure for Stanmer Park to allow income from the park to be ringfenced and reinvested to support the long term future of the park and maintenance of its heritage.  A more detailed consideration of the options and a recommended approach will be presented to Policy &Resources Committee prior to the submission of the Parks for People application for the Committee to consider.

130.1    The Committee considered a report of the Acting Executive Director for Environment, Development & Housing in relation to Stanmer Park Programme: Update and Next Steps in Relation to Funding, Home Farm Redevelopment and Management Structure. It was also highlighted that there was a proposed Officer amendment in relation to Recommendation 1) that had been agreed in consultation with Members.

130.2    Councillor G. Theobald welcomed the report and noted he was happy with the proposed Officer recommendation.

130.3    The Chair moved the amendment, and this was seconded by Councillor Mitchell – the proposed amendment to recommendation 1) (set out below) was then put to the Committee:

That Committee agrees in principle to the proposal in the report relating to the disposal of identified non-core agricultural assets to support the funding of the redevelopment of the traditional agricultural buildings in Stanmer.

              This was carried.

130.4    In response to Councillor Mac Cafferty it was clarified that there was continual ongoing consultation with residents and the local community.

130.5    In response to Councillor Sykes it was explained that the South Downs National Park were still expressing a strong desire to lease office space at the site, and they were seen as an ‘anchor tenant’.

130.6    The Chair then put the amended recommendations to the vote.

130.7    RESOLVED:

1)     That Committee agrees in principle to the proposal in the report relating to the disposal of identified non-core agricultural assets to support the funding of the redevelopment of the traditional agricultural buildings in Stanmer.

2)     That Committee instructs officers to bring a report back to Committee for final approval following the outcome of the development appraisal review that details the disposals and the funding proposal referred to in 2.1 above.              

3)     That the Committee authorises the Assistant Director Property & Design to commission a consultant to prepare a review of the Development Appraisal of the Traditional Agricultural Buildings to evaluate the cost of developing the buildings to meet the council’s objectives as set out in the Cabinet Report dated April 2012.  In addition, surveys will be required of the buildings in preparation of the works to be completed.  A revised proposal and recommendation for the development of the Traditional Agricultural Buildings will be presented to Policy & Resources Committee at a later date for the Committee to consider, following completion of the revised Development Appraisal.

4)     That the Committee authorises the Acting Executive Director Environment Development & Housing, Assistant Director Property & Design and Head of Legal Services to approve terms for the disposal of 3 surplus corporate landlord assets, (client City Parks) to support the re-location of the Stanmer Park depot, set out in Appendix 1B part two of this report .

5)     That Committee notes the progress made in considering an alternative management structure for Stanmer Park to allow income from the park to be ringfenced and reinvested to support the long term future of the park and maintenance of its heritage.  A more detailed consideration of the options and a recommended approach will be presented to Policy &Resources Committee prior to the submission of the Parks for People application for the Committee to consider.