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Issue - meetings

LEASE ON LETCHWORTH MULTI STOREY CAR PARK

 

 

Meeting: 14/04/2026 - Cabinet (Item 41)

41 LEASE ON LETCHWORTH MULTI STOREY CAR PARK pdf icon PDF 155 KB

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR – ENTERPRISE

 

This report sets out negotiations that have taken place between the Martin Group and the Council with regards to the potential surrender of the Letchworth Multi Storey Car Park.

Decision:

RESOLVED:  That Cabinet:

 

(1)   Approved the surrender of the lease for the Letchworth Multi Storey Car Park.

 

(2)   Granted delegated authority to the Director of Enterprise in consultation with the Executive Member for Enterprise to negotiate and approve the details of any surrender in line with the broad principles in this report.

 

REASON FOR DECISIONS: After undertaking a review of the current operation and long-term needs of this car park, the surrender of this lease provides a positive outcome to the Council and the conditions that have been negotiated ensures there will be improvements to the car park which will benefit the public and economic vitality of the town centre.

Minutes:

Audio recording – 44 minutes 52 seconds

 

The Chair invited Councillor Claire Winchester, as Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to present the referral on this item. Councillor Winchester advised that there had been discussions around:

 

·       How this was a good opportunity to achieve better use of the car park at no cost to the Council.

·       What might be lost by surrendering the lease, such as any influence on prices and opening hours.

·       The importance of ensuring communication channels remained open with the new provider.

 

Councillor Tamsin Thomas as Executive Member for Enterprise, presented the report entitled ‘Lease on Letchworth Multi Storey Car Park’ and advised that:

 

·       The report detailed the negotiations that have taken place regarding the proposed surrender of the lease of the Letchworth Multi Storey Car Park at the request of the Martin Group who currently hold the lease.

·       The Martin Group were looking to undertake a regeneration of the Shopping Centre and as part of the pre-planning application stage have asked the Council to consider early surrender of the car park lease.

·       The Martin Group would ensure that parking tariffs remained competitive with the other local car parks.

·       The Martin Group would be introducing an automatic number plate recognition system, and this would maintain effective parking enforcement was in place.

·       There would be an improvement to the current facilities with an extension in opening hours and the implementation of better security.

·       Officers had estimated the additional capital and revenue costs associated with retention of the car park for the remainder of the lease, which could total £3.4 million.

·       Cllr Thomas expressed her thanks to the Director – Enterprise and officers who had ensured every aspect had been considered and this was reflected in the report. 

 

The following Members took part in the debate:

 

·       Councillor Ian Albert

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

 

Points raised during the debate included:

 

·       The importance of keeping discussions open with the Martin Group to ensure the proposals set out in paragraph 8.12 of the report were put in place.

·       The extension in opening hours would be of benefit to the local community.

·       From a financial aspect, the surrender of the lease was the right outcome for the Council.

 

Councillor Tamsin Thomas proposed and Councillor Donna Wright seconded and, following a vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED:  That Cabinet:

 

(1)   Approved the surrender of the lease for the Letchworth Multi Storey Car Park.

 

(2)   Granted delegated authority to the Director of Enterprise in consultation with the Executive Member for Enterprise to negotiate and approve the details of any surrender in line with the broad principles in this report.

 

REASON FOR DECISIONS: After undertaking a review of the current operation and long-term needs of this car park, the surrender of this lease provides a positive outcome to the Council and the conditions that have been negotiated ensures there will be improvements to the car park which will benefit the public and economic vitality of the town centre.