Agenda item

This report represents the fifth phase of an ongoing review of the Council’s land and property assets in accordance with the Asset Management Plan. This phase of the Land Holdings Review covers 5 sites across the District in which expressions of interest have been received for Community Asset Transfers.

Councillor Stuart Lees did not vote on this item due to previously declaring an interest.

The Estates and Facilities Manager introduced a report representing the fifth phase of an ongoing review of the Council’s land and property assets in accordance with the Asset Management Plan.

It was noted that the Asset Management Plan 2019-2023 was intended to set out the Council’s strategic approach to the management of its land and property and to provide a framework within which property asset decision can be made in support of the Council’s corporate aims and objectives. The Asset Management Plan recommended to support and enable Community Asset Transfer of land and buildings where appropriate.

Phase 5 of the Land Holdings Review covered 5 sites in which queries or expressions of interest had been received for Community Asset Transfers. Following consideration of planning, legal and estate management factors, together with operational requirements, recommendations were made regarding whether the sites should be retained, allocated for a particular use or sold and the terms which would apply.

An appraisal of each site had taken place comprising advice on any planning constraints, legal restrictions and maintenance liabilities/costs. The results and recommendations for these sites were summarised in Appendix 1 together with the plans of each site.

Members were informed that in regards to Site No. 2 and No.3 in Doveridge, two areas of concern had been raised by Doveridge Parish Council and the Ward Member. On the back of these concerns Doveridge Parish Council had commissioned a resident survey that would be live for a further 3 weeks on their website.

In order to receive responses from this survey, the Estates and Facilities Manager proposed that recommendation 2 be amended to read as follows:

“2. That subject to a positive response to the village survey commissioned by Doveridge Parish Council, Site no. 2, Doveridge Bowls Club and Site no.3, Doveridge pond and adjoining land be transferred to Doveridge Parish Council on the terms outlined in Appendix 1 of this report as a Community Asset Transfer of the freehold title.”

It was moved by Councillor Robert Archer, Seconded by Councillor Helen Froggatt and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1.    That Site no. 1, Land at Pasture Gate, Thorpe be transferred to National Trust on the terms outlined in Appendix 1 of the report as a Community Asset Transfer of the freehold title.

2.    That subject to a positive response to the village survey commissioned by Doveridge Parish Council, Site no. 2, Doveridge Bowls Club and Site no. 3, Doveridge Pond and adjoining land be transferred to Doveridge Parish Council on the terms outlined in Appendix 1 of the report as a Community Asset Transfer of the freehold title.

3.    That site no. 4, Part of Fanny Shaw Recreation Ground, Wirksworth be transferred to Wirksworth Regeneration and Development CIC on the terms outlined in Appendix 1 of the report as a Community Asset Transfer by way of long lease.

4.    That Site no. 5, Part of Shawcroft car park, Ashbourne be transferred to Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football Committee on the terms outlined in Appendix 1 of the report as a Community Asset Transfer by way of long lease,

5.    That it is noted that all the disposals in this report (either by lease or freehold title transfer) comprise undervalue transactions permitted under the General Disposal Consent 2003.

6.    That each party bear their own legal costs in respect of each disposal.

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.