Minutes:
The Council received a notice of motion moved by Councillor David Martin and seconded by Councillor Andy Gascoyne as follows:-
“This Council notes with dismay that five years ago the then Labour administration of closed the Selston Golf Course against the wishes of local people. The building has fallen into a near state of dereliction and this costs the tax payer £6k every year.
This Council further recognises that the residents in Selston Parish expects this Council to treat Selston Country Park on a par with other park facilities across the District such as The Lawns in Sutton and Tichfield Park in Hucknall. To do this will need investment, an investment that is only fair for Selston residents.
This Council notes that the Country Park is owned wholly by Nottinghamshire County Council, and regrets that the current administration there have, with political malice, prohibited the progression of plans to reopen the café on the park.
However, thanks to the passion and tenacious work of the Ashfield Independent Councillors who represent the rural wards some improvement work has commenced on the park. Namely with Phase One - the building of a memorial park. This should be completed in the near future and will see three new flag poles and raised flower beds, as well as disabled friendly benches installed to compliment the Commemorative benches previously installed.
The administration are as keen as the local public to make Selston Country Park a destination park, where events can be held for all members of the community. Where it is possible that farmer’s markets can be held and big screen films staged.
Therefore this Council resolves that:-
Officers of the Council work up costed plans, without delay, to create a new Café hub at Selston Country Park. This will be a multipurpose extension to the current building, allowing it to be run full time for local people to use, in the same way other park cafes in the District are. This will be Phase Two of the Country Park Plans.
Officers note and record the medium term plans to work up Phase Three for the park, to provide more things of interest to do at the site. Future 106 contributions from the Parish should be then allocated to this plan. The plan could include but is not limited to, formalising path and cycle routes, creating nature trails, extending the car park and installing a variety of play equipment.
Officers to commence work on the long term lease options of the site with Nottinghamshire County Council and confirm our intention to extend the current lease. Officers present any future plans to Cabinet for further approval.
Officers to develop a business case for consideration by Cabinet and to present to Council for approval, subject to the business case being financially viable. The business case will be developed within the first quarter of 2021/22.”
(At this point in the proceedings and in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 18.4, it was moved and seconded that the names for and against the motion or any abstention from voting be duly recorded in the minutes. Having been put to the vote, Council concurred with this course of action.)
Having been fully considered, the motion was put to the vote and it was
RESOLVED that
a) approval be given for officers of the Council to work up costed plans, without delay, to create a new Café hub at Selston Country Park as a multipurpose extension to the current building, allowing it to be run full time for local people to use, in the same way other park cafes in the District are (to be Phase Two of the Country Park Plans);
b) officers to note and record the medium term plans to work up Phase Three for the park, to provide more things of interest to do at the site with future 106 contributions from the Parish being allocated to this plan. The plan could include but is not limited to, formalising path and cycle routes, creating nature trails, extending the car park and installing a variety of play equipment;
c) approval be given for officers to commence work on the long term lease options of the site with Nottinghamshire County Council and confirm intentions to extend the current lease with any future plans being presented to Cabinet for further approval;
d) as a result of a) to c) above, officers be requested to develop a business case for consideration by Cabinet and to present to Council for approval, subject to the business case being financially viable and developed within the first quarter of 2021/22.
Recorded Vote
For the Motion:
Councillors Kier Barsby, Jim Blagden, Ciaran Brown, Christian Chapman, Andy Gascoyne, Dale Grounds, Arnie Hankin, David Hennigan, Tom Hollis, Trevor Locke, Rachel Madden, Sarah Madigan, David Martin, Andy Meakin, Warren Nuttall, Matthew Relf, Dave Shaw, John Smallridge, Helen-Ann Smith, David Walters, Lee Waters, Caroline Wilkinson, Daniel Williamson, John Wilmott and Jason Zadrozny
Against the Motion:
Councillors Lauren Mitchell, Keir Morrison, Kevin Rostance and Phil Rostance.
Abstentions:
None.