Issue - meetings

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

28.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, together with comments from Ms Vanessa Rowlands, the Parish Council representative on the South Downs National Park Authority.

DECISIONS

28.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to approve: (1) The transfer of the freehold of Seven Sisters Country Park to the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA);

(2)        The disposal of Ditchling Common Country Park to the Sussex Wildlife Trust for a peppercorn rent through a long lease with the s. 106 funds for the Ditchling Common Management Contribution (c £400k) also transferred;

(3)        The transfer of the freehold of Ouse Estuary Nature Reserve to Newhaven Town Council;

(4)        The disposal of Riverside Park by way of a lease to Newhaven Town Council, noting that a former decision dated 19 March 2013 relating to the transfer of the Riverside Newhaven site was aborted; and to

(5)        Authorise the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport to approve the final terms for the above four disposals.

Reasons

28.3     Public notices have been issued and terms negotiated, in principle, for the transfer or long lease of four countryside sites as directed by the Lead Member in June 2019 with outcomes that meet the objectives and terms of the County Council’s Countryside Access Strategy approved by Cabinet in June 2017.

28.4     No responses or objections were received to the proposed transfer of Seven Sisters Country Park, or to the proposed transfer of Ouse Estuary Nature Reserve and lease of Riverside Park.

28.5     The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) have outlined how they intend to make further improvements to the Seven Sisters Country Park to significantly improve the visitor experience subsequent to the initial £1.4 million investment. The SDNPA ambition is currently for a further £13m, but this will be dependent on successful bids for funding including an ongoing application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

12.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

DECISIONS

12.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to note the report. 

Reasons

12.3     The information supports an earlier agenda item      

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

10.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, together with exempt information contained in a later agenda item, and correspondence received following publication of the Agenda.  The Lead Member also took into account the comments of the Countryside Access Review Board of the Place Scrutiny Committee.

DECISIONS

10.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED 1) To approve the publication of Notices in relation to the following transfers: 

(a)  Ditchling Common Country Park to be leased to the Sussex Wildlife Trust for a peppercorn rent through a long lease with the S106 funds for the Ditchling Common Management Contribution (c £400k) also transferred;

(b)  The freehold of Ouse Estuary Nature Reserve to be transferred to Newhaven Town Council subject to the final terms being agreed for this and Riverside Park;

(c)  Riverside Park to be leased to Newhaven Town Council for a peppercorn rent and for the lease to be subject to appropriate restrictions in relation to the history of the site as a former landfill site. 

2) To award South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) preferred bidder status with a view to transferring the freehold of Seven Sisters Country Park subject to the completion of an agreement regarding the terms of the transfer.  To delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport (CET) to agree the terms of any transfer and to publish notices in relation to the transfer. These terms will include (a) reference to the preliminary negotiation and offer from SDNPA submitted in December 2018 and (b) negotiation of a clawback clause such that the County Council would benefit from the proceeds from any future sale, transfer or development.

3) To delegate authority to the Director of CET to agree the terms of any transfer of East Sussex County Council land at Broomhill and Camber to Rother District Council and to publish notices in relation to the transfer.

4) To delegate authority to the Director of CET to agree the transfer, and the terms of any transfer, of management responsibility for:

(a) Chailey Common Local Nature Reserve to another party considered appropriate by the Director of CET; 

(b) Weir Wood Local Nature Reserve to another party considered appropriate by the Director of CET, and;

(c) Any changes to the terms of the Local Nature Reserve agreements (other than the names of the parties) be reserved to the Lead Member for Transport and Environment for decision.

5) Delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport in consultation with the Assistant Chief Executive to take any action he considers appropriate to give effect to or in consequence of, the above recommendations including determining the terms of, and entering into, any  further agreements necessary.

Reasons

10.3     The Countryside Access Strategy approved by Cabinet in June 2017 contained the recommendation that the County Council explore the transfer of its countryside sites to suitable external organisations that may be able to manage these in the future.

10.4     It is clear that doing nothing is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10