Agenda item

10.1

This report proposes that the existing funding and management arrangements with Green Estate for the Manor Fields site are continued for a 12-month period, with a further £141,481 being granted to Green Estate, subject to the prior completion of a subsidy control assessment and the approval of the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services. During this 12-month period a proposal for renewing arrangements for the Manor Fields and associated sites will be developed, along with any necessary processes required for an appropriate longer-term management arrangement.

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee:

1.     approves in principle the extension of existing funding arrangements by 12 months with Green Estate, with a further £141,481 being granted to Green Estate for their management and maintenance of Manor Fields and associated sites for 2024/25; and

2.     delegates approval of the extension of existing funding agreements (and award of £141,481 to Green Estate) to the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services, subject to the prior completion of a subsidy control principles assessment to demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services that the extension of the funding agreements (and award of £141,481 to Green Estate) is complaint with the subsidy control principles.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

Continuing the existing arrangements for one-year provides Green Estate with the necessary security to continue their operations for the next 12 months. It also provides time to review the required processes to offer longer term security for the Manor Fields site, rather than relying on year-by-year arrangements.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

The ‘Do Nothing’ option has been discounted as to cut or change the grant funding support to Green Estate with very little notice would be detrimental at this time to the Green Estate organisation, the people they work with and ultimately Council services. An alternative to the Green Estate’s management of the Manor Fields site would also be required, so costs would likely increase in the short term.

10.1

The Head of Parks and Countryside presented a report that proposed that the existing funding and management arrangements with Green Estate for the Manor Fields site be continued for a 12-month period, with a further £141,481 being granted to Green Estate, subject to the prior completion of a subsidy control assessment and the approval of the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services. During the 12-month period, a proposal for renewing arrangements for the Manor Fields and associated sites would be developed, along with any necessary processes required for an appropriate longer-term management arrangement.

10.2

Members proposed the addition of an item to the Committee’s Work Programme to report on how the land is managed by Green Estate to support a continued positive impact on climate and biodiversity.

10.3

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee:

1.     approves in principle the extension of existing funding arrangements by 12 months with Green Estate, with a further £141,481 being granted to Green Estate for their management and maintenance of Manor Fields and associated sites for 2024/25; and

2.     delegates approval of the extension of existing funding agreements (and award of £141,481 to Green Estate) to the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services, subject to the prior completion of a subsidy control principles assessment to demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services that the extension of the funding agreements (and award of £141,481 to Green Estate) is complaint with the subsidy control principles.

10.4

Reasons for Decision

10.4.1

Continuing the existing arrangements for one-year provides Green Estate with the necessary security to continue their operations for the next 12 months. It also provides time to review the required processes to offer longer term security for the Manor Fields site, rather than relying on year-by-year arrangements.

10.5

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.5.1

The ‘Do Nothing’ option has been discounted as to cut or change the grant funding support to Green Estate with very little notice would be detrimental at this time to the Green Estate organisation, the people they work with and ultimately Council services. An alternative to the Green Estate’s management of the Manor Fields site would also be required, so costs would likely increase in the short term.