Agenda item

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Public Realm.

Harry Barton from the Devon Wildlife Trust will also be in attendance to make a short presentation.

The Assistant Director Public Realm presented a report which sought Member’s consideration of whether to transfer the City Council’s Valley Parks to Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT). 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. 

Harry Barton, Chief Executive of DWT, attended the meeting and made a presentation to Members on the vision of the DWT to enhance the valley parks. He referred to the reach and experience of the Trust and provided examples of their established track record.  A study had been made of all of the valley park sites and consideration of the potential to further improve the developed wildlife and fauna.  He recognised the importance of a supportive community and welcomed the opportunity for engagement with, and to be to held account by, such vital local groups. He also outlined a summary of potential benefits and financial projections for the next five years, including details of the longer term financial sustainability.  The development plans could include a Visitor Centre to draw people and develop accessibility, which would help enhance the value for the local community. He responded to a Member’s comment on the charitable status and governance arrangements of the DWT.

A Member welcomed the work already taking place in the Valley Parks and particularly in Ludwell Valley Park and, despite the sensitivity of the sites, that adequate car parking to ensure accessibility would be provided.  She also hoped that young people and children would be encouraged to use the space and asked if any work with schools had taken place.  Peter Burgess, Director of Development, Policy and Research was also in attendance from the DWT and stated that, whilst parking could provide great challenges, he recognised the need for its inclusion along with improvement to walking and cycling routes to increase accessibility. Paul Martin, an education officer with the DWT, had visited schools in the city in an effort to connect pupils with the valley parks. He also responded to a Member’s question on the way in which they would promote the benefit of the sites with harder to reach groups.

The Assistant Director Public Realm responded to a number of questions from Members on future development of the valley parks and confirmed that the City Council would retain the freehold of the land.

Place Scrutiny Committee supported and recommended approval by Executive of the following:-

(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;

(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, with the detailed terms to be agreed by the Corporate Manager Property in Consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder Support Services;

(3)     Disposal of land be advertised in accordance with the provisions of S.123 of the Local Government Act 1972;

(4)     principle of the grant of a development agreement and group 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;

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

(6)     the 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 of Public Realm, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Place and the Leader of Council.

Councillor Prowse requested that his name be recorded as having abstained from the vote.