Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Development, Enterprise and Communities attached.

Decision Made (Unanimously):

That:

1. subject to external funding being secured by Samlesbury Parish Council, the transfer of SRBC land at Nabs Head Lane to Samlesbury Parish Council, by way of a 25 year lease including a ten year break clause be agreed.

2. subject to the approval by the Eastern My Neighbourhood forum, match funding contribution of £11,200 from SRBC, comprising of £1,200 revenue funds for statutory notices and £10,000 capital monies be made.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Development, Enterprise and Communities which provided details of the transfer of land on a long term lease to Samlesbury Parish Council, for the purposes of creating a village play area.

During the debate, the Cabinet gave assurances that the maintenance of the play area would be the responsibility of the Parish Council and that there would be appropriate provisions/agreement in place in for any long term lease granted.

Decision Made (Unanimously):

That:

1.    subject to external funding being secured by Samlesbury Parish Council, the transfer of SRBC land at Nabs Head Lane to Samlesbury Parish Council, by way of a 25 year lease including a ten year break clause be agreed; and

2.    subject to the approval by the Eastern My Neighbourhood Forum, match funding contribution of £11,200 from SRBC, comprising of £1,200 revenue funds for statutory notices and £10,000 capital monies be made.

Reasons for Decision:

There had been a longstanding community demand for a play area at Samlesbury. This had been on the Eastern My Neighbourhood plan for over a year and there have been several requests from the community prior to this.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

There was an option to do nothing and leave the area without play provision. The option of SRBC procuring and installing a playground of a similar specification would cost more. The Parish Council was utilising local community contacts to drive costs down. The Parish was using a local play equipment contractor based in their Parish to acquire the equipment at non-market rates; whereas SRBC would have to follow procurement rules. In addition to higher build costs with this option, SRBC would also be liable for the ongoing maintenance and revenue costs. This option had therefore been deemed not viable.