Decision details

Decision by Cabinet as Trustees of Hillsborough Park - Leases of Former Coach House and Bowls Pavilion*

Decision Maker: Co-operative Executive

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Purpose:

To seek approval of Cabinet, acting as the Trustees of the Hillsborough Park Trust, to the grant of new leases of the former Coach House and Bowls Pavilion to Age UK Sheffield.

 

Decision:

12.1

The Executive Director, Place, submitted a report seeking the approval of Cabinet acting as the Charity Trustee of Hillsborough Park (Registered Charity Number 510841) (“the Charity”) to grant two leases to Age UK Sheffield being:

 

(a) a lease for the derelict former Coach House building, together with the adjacent Potting Shed, in order to undertake a restoration and conversion to a café, associated facilities and services; and

 

(b) a lease for parts of the Pavilion to deliver a dementia day centre and community activity services including exercise classes, choir and theatre performances.

 

 

12.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet acting as the Charity Trustee of Hillsborough Park:

 

(a)

approves the leases of the subject properties to Age UK Sheffield based on the terms set out in Appendix 1 of the report;

 

 

(b)

agrees that the Trustees are satisfied that the proposed terms are the best that can be reasonably obtained in the circumstances based upon consideration of the commercial details in Appendix 1 and the Qualified Surveyor’s Report in Appendix 2;

 

(c)

approves the grant of a charge over the legal title of the Trust in relation to grant funding, as set out in the report; and

 

(d)

authorises the Chief Property Officer, in consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance, to negotiate the terms of the lease with the proposed lessee and the Director of Legal and Governance to prepare and complete all the necessary legal documentation, in accordance with the agreed terms and in respect of a charge over title.

 

 

12.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

 

The proposal to grant two leases to Age UK Sheffield will achieve:

 

· full restoration of a derelict Grade II Listed Building via third party finance/funding

· provision of a new café, public toilets and activity/function space at Hillsborough Park which will support the site become more inclusive for the benefit of new and existing users of the Park

· Increased community use of the pavilion

· Increased presence in the Park which may reduce anti social behaviour

· increased income stream for the Trust which can be reinvested in the Park

· transfer of significant property liabilities

· regeneration of an under-utilised part of the Park

· enhancement of the quality and attractiveness of the Park as a valuable asset for visitors

· occupation for the purposes of the charitable objects of the Trust

· compliance with the provisos contained within the power granted to the Trustee by the Scheme and with the statutory provisions contained within the Act and further with the requirements of the Charity Commission.

 

 

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

 

The former Coach House has been in a dilapidated condition for many years and has generated little interest when offered to the market. The Parks and Countryside Service has previously explored the possibility of a Heritage Lottery bid to restore the Coach House, however this did not prove to be viable at that time. The costs of restoration can realistically only be met through grant funding via a third party such as the proposed lessee. The Pavilion offers modern facilities but comprises community space and changing facilities so has limited alternative potential. The building originally had a Parks & Countryside Ranger managing the bookings, but this was very costly and not very effective. Eventually this role was combined into managing a number of other Park buildings but this did not improve the use of the building as the Pavilion was not promoted and used to its full potential. Age UK Sheffield see that there is synergy with the Coach House proposals and an opportunity for better services/benefits by using both buildings. There is no better option in our opinion.

 

 

12.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

 

 

 

None

 

 

12.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

 

 

 

Appendices 1 and 2 of the report are not for publication by virtue of Regulation 20(2) Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 because, in the opinion of the proper officer, it contains exempt information under Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

 

 

12.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

 

 

 

Laraine Manley, Executive Director, Place.

 

 

12.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

 

 

 

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee.

 

 

Report author: Ian Wrightson

Publication date: 24/09/2020

Date of decision: 23/09/2020

Decided at meeting: 23/09/2020 - Co-operative Executive

Effective from: 01/10/2020

Accompanying Documents: