Agenda item

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Public Realm.

Place Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 8 September 2016 and its comments will be reported.

The report of the Assistant Director Public Realm was submitted for Members to consider whether to transfer the City Council’s Valley Parks to Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT).

Members were advised that the transfer of the valley parks was a transformation plan objective, as the Council’s operating costs and risks would be reduced, supported by a financially sustainable plan.  There was also the opportunity for greater enhancement of the Valley Parks, which included land owned or leased by the City Council at Riverside, Ludwell, Mincinglake, Belvedere and Duryard, Barley Valley and Withycombe Way to encourage even greater use.  This approach would support the delivery of the Exe Valley Parks masterplan and the City Council’s responsibility to provide Sustainable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANGs) to address the demands that development places on protected habits. 

Place Scrutiny Committee had received a presentation from Harry Barton, Chief Executive of DWT on the aspirations and visions of the Trust to enhance the Valley Parks. 

In response to Members’ questions, the Assistant Director Public Realm commented that the DWT would work towards the objectives in the Exe Valley Parks Masterplan; it was intended that a community forum would be set up to engage with the work of the DWT in relation to the management of the Valley Parks; the terms of the lease would be agreed in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder Support Services; and the arrangements for the dog and litter bins would remain the responsibility of the Council.

Members welcomed the way forward, recognising that the DWT would have the opportunity to access additional funding. It had considerable volunteer support and a good track record of protecting open space.

Place Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 8 September 2016 and its comments were reported.

RECOMMENDED to Council that the:-

(1)        final business case for the transfer of the City Council’s Valley Parks to Devon Wildlife Trust in accordance with the Council’s Organisational Change Policy be approved;

(2)        transfer by lease of land owned and leased by the City Council in Exeter’s Valley Parks, namely Riverside, Ludwell, Mincinglake, Belvedere and Duryard, Barley Valley and Withycombe Way, to Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) for a period of 30 years be approved, with the detailed terms to be agreed by the Corporate Manager Property in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder Support Services;

(3)        disposal of land in accordance with the provisions of Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 be advertised;

(4)        principle of the grant of a development agreement and ground lease for a period of 99 years on any land identified between the Council and the Devon Wildlife Trust as suitable for a Visitor Centre be approved;

(5)        a financial contribution of £425,000 to the Devon Wildlife Trust on transfer be approved; and

(6)        principle of the Council making an additional £100,000 contribution in 2022 in the exceptional circumstance where additional investment is required that cannot be found within the Trust’s existing resources be approved, and that an agreement between the Council and the Trust setting out the specific conditions for the additional payment be delegated to the Assistant Director Public Realm, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Place and the Leader of Council.