Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 5^th April, 2017, as now submitted, be received and approved.

The Director of Legal and Governance (and Monitoring Officer) presented the report and took the opportunity to update the Committee on progress since the previous Charities Committee meeting held on 5^th April, 2017, as follows:-

Temporary Facilities for the Cricket Club

Committee were advised that temporary changing facilities continued to be provided to the Cricket Club by the Council for the current cricket season.

Financial Position

The Trust had recorded a deficit of £9.7k for the financial year 2016/17 and when added to the losses brought forward from previous years this meant that the accumulated deficit as at 31st March, 2017 was £129.8k.  To date in 2017/18, further expenditure of £7k had occurred but this has been mostly due to the agreed separation of utilities (i.e. water and electricity) for future billing to the Clubs and Visitors’ Centre.

Progress with Leases

The Clubs and the Visitors’ Centre had all been given draft leases for consideration during March 2017 and had been in contact with the Council since that time regarding various issues:-

Visitors’ Centre

The Visitors’ Centre had advised that they had employed a solicitor to undertake the leasing process and negotiations on their behalf.

Bowls Club

The Bowls Club were concerned that they would not be able to meet their rental obligations once the rent free/discounted period had expired.  They had requested an extension to the rent free period or to come to some other arrangement for the upkeep of their facilities.  The bowling season ended each year in August for the winter and any arrangements to offset this quiet income period would be helpful in relation to any rental obligations.

The cost of meeting the buildings insurance and legionella testing requirements was of concern to the Club and it was felt that adding the cost to Members’ subscriptions would be prohibitive.  There were ongoing additional costs for maintaining the greens and affiliation fees to the tune of around £300 per year which the Club felt uncertain about paying at the present time pending the outcome of the current lease negotiations and the future viability of the Club.

The Club was well respected and was the only ground in the north of the County to host County-wide matches.  They had a good reputation for training young bowlers and were an asset to the local community. The Committee were advised that the facilities at the ground had been built in 2007 and had been part funded by themselves (via fund raising activities and five generous personal donations from Club Members), the Teversal Trust and the Coal Board.

The Director of Legal and Governance (and Monitoring Officer) took the opportunity to remind Members of the incremental rent levels and percentage discounts that has been previously set by Council for the Visitors’ Centre and Club leases.  Members discussed the concerns raised by the Bowls Club and the Council’s ongoing commitment towards maintaining the Teversal Trust car parking facilities.

The timeline for finalising the leases, consulting CISWO and then presenting the proposals  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

“That in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A of the

Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be now

excluded from the meeting during the following item of

business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure

of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of

Schedule 12A of the Act, in respect of which the Proper Officer

considers the public interest in maintaining the exemption

outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”

RESOLVED

that in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be now excluded from the meeting during the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, in respect of which the Proper Officer considers the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

The Director of Legal and Governance (and Monitoring Officer) requested the Committee to consider approving the surrender of the ground lease by St’ Johns’ Ambulance on land held in trust by Ashfield District Council.

RESOLVED

that Council be recommended to approve the following:-

a)    the request for surrender of the ground lease by St’ Johns’ Ambulance on land held in trust by Ashfield District Council;

b)    delegated authority being granted to the Director of Legal and Governance (and Monitoring Officer), to sign a deed of surrender, on behalf of the Council, as trustee of the site.

Reason:

To facilitate the surrender of the lease and return the small piece of land to the trustee.