Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:  That the press and public are excluded from the meeting as exempt information, of the description set out on the agenda, is likely to be disclosed and on balance the public interest is in discussing this item in private session.

The Council received a recommendation from Cabinet on 1 May 2024 seeking approval of a budget of up to £200,000 to be made available for 2024/2025 financial year to support delivery of the Station Road Countryside Park project to be recouped from the future sale of BNG units.

Councillor Dan Ledger proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr G Jung and having been put to the vote was carried by a majority show of hands.

RESOLVED:  That Council approves a budget of up to £200,000 to be made available for 2024/2025 financial year to support delivery of the project to be recouped from the future sale of BNG units.

The report provided an update on the delivery and future management of a 10Ha Country Park at Station Road, Broadclyst which sits within the wider Clyst Valley Regional Park.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.     Approves the preferred option for the management and ownership of the Country Park and delegates authority to the Assistant Director - Countryside & Leisure, in consultation with the Director of Finance and the Director of Governance and Licensing, to develop arrangements for the future management of the site with engagement from local Ward Members and Broadclyst Parish Council and local communities.

2.     Delegates authority to the Assistant Director – Countryside & Leisure in consultation with Director of Finance, Director of Governance & Licencing, and the Assistant Director Planning Strategy & Development Management, to finalise the arrangements for operational management and creation of an endowment fund for the in perpetuity management of the site.

3.     Delegates authority to the Assistant Director – Countryside & Leisure in consultation with the Assistant Director Place Assets and Commercialisation, Director of Finance and Director of Governance & Licencing to finalise the acquisition of the additional land, subject to the completion of appropriate legal documentation.

4.     Subject to CIL Member Working Party’s decision, approves the increased budget for delivery.

5.     Requests that the Assistant Director - Countryside & Leisure, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Director of Governance & Licencing, prepares a future report to Cabinet to set out the proposed arrangements for a Special Purpose Vehicle to enable East Devon District Council to maximise the biodiversity value of the site (and other future sites).

RECOMMENDED to Council:

6.     The provision of a budget for the 2024/25 financial year to support deliver of the project.

REASON:

The retention of the site and management by Countryside Services will enable the biodiversity value of the site to be maximised, supporting East Devon’s obligations in relation to the Environment Act and nature recovery. It will also enable Countryside Services to work with the Parish Council and local community to deliver additional social value benefits through volunteering, educational activities and community engagement and events in the western part of the district.