Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relevant to the work of the body in question.  Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

No members of the public were present.

To consider the lease of land to Wilmslow Town Council.

1.    Subject to obtaining the necessary approval for the removal of the three car parking spaces, to approve the lease the area of land shown on the attached plan being part of the car park at The Carrs Country Park, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 4AA to Wilmslow Town Council in line with the terms stated in para 3.2 of the report and other terms to be agreed by the Assets Manager.

2.    That the 30 year lease be in line with the decision made by the Cabinet on 12 July 2016 and on the standard terms agreed by the Cabinet on 5 September 2011 where the use will be protected and the Town Council will be responsible for the service and asset in the future.

It was reported that arequest had been received from Wilmslow Town Council to lease for a term of 30 years at an undervalue (£1 premium with a peppercorn rent) a parcel of land located within the car park at The Carrs Country Park, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 4AA (shown edged red on the plan attached to the report) as part of the Local Service Delivery -Transfer and Devolutions to Town and Parish Councils process.  This would enable the delivery of a public convenience and kiosk facility which would improve resident’s access to The Carrs Country Park.

It was considered the use would enhance the use of the park and therefore mitigate the loss of three parking spaces.

RESOLVED

1.    Subject to obtaining the necessary approval for the removal of the three car parking spaces, approval be given to lease the area of land shown on the plan attached to the report being part of the car park at The Carrs Country Park, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 4AA to Wilmslow Town Council in line with the terms stated in para 3.2 of the report and other terms to be agreed by the Assets Manager.

2.    That the 30 year lease be in line with the decision made by the Cabinet on 12 July 2016 and on the standard terms agreed by the Cabinet on 5 September 2011 where the use will be protected and the Town Council will be responsible for the service and asset in the future.

To consider the transfer of the Community Centre to Macclesfield Town Council.

1.    To approve the disposal of Weston Community Centre to Macclesfield Town Council by way of a freehold transfer for a nominal value, on the terms stated in para 3.4 of the report and other terms to be agreed by the Assets Manager in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and Director of Legal Services.

2.    To authorise the Director of Legal Services to enter into and sign all necessary documents to give effect to those agreements reached.

Macclesfield Town Council was created in April 2015 as a result of Reorganisation of Community Governance (Macclesfield) Order 2015, in which a number of assets, including Weston Community Centre were identified for transfer.   The process for the transfer was a separate process by virtue of The Local Government (Parishes and Parish Councils) (England) Regulations 2008 and also falls in line with the Council’s general approach to asset transfer and the Cabinet paper dated 12 July 2016 which sets out the framework for disposal of assets by the Council.

Cheshire East Council is committed to delivering services tailored to its individual communities and Weston Community Centre is a community building which caters for the different aspects of the community within Macclesfield.  Macclesfield Town Council would ensure that this asset is sustainable and work with the local community to provide the right services, in the right places, at the right times.  It would take on full accountability for all aspects of the transfer including all running costs and existing bookings.

The Portfolio Holder reported that the local ward members were in favour of the transfer but that Councillor Nick Mannion had contacted him concerning the current poor state of repair of the kitchen; in response to his enquiry it was confirmed that unfortunately no additional finance available for this work.

RESOLVED

1.    That approval be given to the disposal of Weston Community Centre to Macclesfield Town Council by way of a freehold transfer for a nominal value, on the terms stated in para 3.4 of the report and other terms to be agreed by the Assets Manager in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and Director of Legal Services.

2.    That the Director of Legal Services be authorised to enter into and sign all necessary documents to give effect to those agreements reached.