Agenda item

REPORT OF THE SENIOR ESTATES SURVEYOR.

To consider the options available regarding the transfer of a Community Asset to Hitchin Bridge Club.

Mrs Margaret Eddleston thanked the Chair for the opportunity to address Cabinet in respect of the report entitled Community Asset Transfer:  Hitchin Bridge Club.

The Chair thanked Mrs Eddleston for her presentation.

RESOLVED:

(1)       That, subject to (2) below, an in-principle decision to grant a leasehold interest in land at Cadwell Lane, Hitchin to Hitchin Bridge Club be agreed;

(2)       That, as the above is progressed, careful consideration is given to appropriate mitigation of environmental and accessibility impacts such as generation of power, electric vehicle charging points and landscaping..

REASONS FOR DECISIONS: To signal officers to commence exploring the feasibility of the proposed leasehold transfer to HBC, in accordance with the Detailed Development Stage of NHDC’s Community Asset Transfer (CAT) policy. This with a view to reporting back to Cabinet at a later date.

Audio recording – 21 minutes 44 seconds

Mrs Margaret Eddleston thanked the Chair for the opportunity to address Cabinet in respect of the report entitled Community Asset Transfer:  Hitchin Bridge Club including:

·                The officer had provided a very thorough report, which included a lot of documents provided by the Hitchin Bridge Club;

·                Since the start of the Covid pandemic the activities of the Bridge Club had moved online and this had enabled them to increase the number of sessions from 5 to 9.

·                This increase demonstrated the need for HBC to expand.

·                Benefits of playing bridge in person included keeping minds active, improving mental health and reducing isolation;

·                As a result of the discussion at Hitchin Committee regarding community space Hitchin Band and Charnwood Community Management Association were looking to work together regarding community space;

·                Different types of organisations required different types of accommodation;

·                If Cabinet agreed to the proposal in principal to provide a lease, Hitchin Bridge Club would provide a business plan, apply for planning permission and submit a lease for approval by Council.

The following Members asked questions:

·                Councillor Judi Billing:

·                Councillor Ian Albert.

In response to question Mrs Eddleston advised:

·                That they used an online bridge platform to play online;

·                That they would continue to provide some online sessions, although this did not provide personal contact;

·                They would be happy to have a piece of land anywhere but felt that this was the least obtrusive location;

·                They would be happy to share the accommodation, but the layout would not be suitable for organisations such as the Town Band or activities such as dancing;

·                The types of organisations and activities suitable to share with would be board game clubs. Lectures and tutoring;

·                They would not ask for pre-planning advice but would submit a full planning application.

The Chair thanked Mrs Eddleston for her presentation.

Audio recording – 34 minutes 16 seconds

The Executive Member for Enterprise and Cooperative Development presented the report entitled Community Asset Transfer:  Hitchin Bridge Club together with the following appendices:

·                Appendix A - Site Plan of NHDC’s Freehold Recreation Ground;

·                Appendix B - Site Plan of HBC’s Proposed Lease Demise;

·                Appendix C - HBC’s Expression of Interest;

·                Appendix D - Comments from HBC Members on Benefits of Playing Bridge;

·                Appendix E - HBC and its Relationship with Hitchin, the Local and Wider Community;

·                Appendix F - Membership Breakdown of HBC;

·                Appendix G - HBC During Covid-19 Lockdown;

·                Appendix H - NHDC’s insight on Community Asset Transfer request by HBC;

·                Appendix I - Equality Analysis;

·                Appendix J - Environmental Impact Assessment.

Councillor Ian Albert. Chair of Hitchin Committee, presented the referral from the meeting of that Committee held on 2 March 2021 regarding Community Asset Transfer - Hitchin Bridge Club. The following recommendation had been made by that Committee:

That Cabinet provides its decision in principle to grant a leasehold interest in land at Cadwell Lane, Hitchin to Hitchin Bridge Club as per Recommendation 2.1 in the report due to be considered by Cabinet on 16 March 2021.

Councillor Ian Albert proposed and Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb seconded that recommendation 2.1 in the report be agreed.

Councillor Steve Jarvis proposed an amendment that Recommendation 2.1 in the report be agreed, subject to consideration of environmental and accessibility issues such as generation of power. electric vehicle charging points and landscaping.

Councillor Keith Hoskins agreed to the amendment.

The following Members took part in the debate:

·                Councillor Steve Jarvis

·                Councillor Ian Albert

Members’ comments included:

·                That accessibility to the site was not ideal and consideration should be given to access to the site;

·                That the environmental and loss of green space impacts should be mitigated;

·                Hitchin Bridge Club would need to consider how to mitigate traffic impacts.

RESOLVED:

(1)       That, subject to (2) below, an in-principle decision to grant a leasehold interest in land at Cadwell Lane, Hitchin to Hitchin Bridge Club be agreed;

(2)       That, as the above is progressed, careful consideration is given to appropriate mitigation of environmental and accessibility impacts such as generation of power, electric vehicle charging points and landscaping..

REASONS FOR DECISIONS: To signal officers to commence exploring the feasibility of the proposed leasehold transfer to HBC, in accordance with the Detailed Development Stage of NHDC’s Community Asset Transfer (CAT) policy. This with a view to reporting back to Cabinet at a later date.