Issue - meetings

Jason Taylor, Parks and Leisure Manager, introduced the report which detailed Staplehurst Parish Council’s (PC) request for their lease on Surrenden Field to be extended on a longer term arrangement or as a freehold.

It was explained that Staplehurst PC intended to invest in the field, but to do so they required a secure, long term lease. The current lease was for 25 years. Staplehurst PC were entitled to the lease on the same terms, but the officer recommendation was that a lease for 125 years be granted.

A path linking the Field to the A229 named Nicholson Walk was also owned by Maidstone BC and discussions were ongoing with Staplehurst PC regarding the inclusion of this pathway within the lease.

The following points were raised during discussion:

·  Staplehurst PC intended to invest in capital improvements on the field such as drainage. The Field was the site of several community events and considered central to the village. Nicholson Walk was a key access point to the Field and a well-used thoroughfare. Staplehurst PC would be willing to take on the maintenance of Nicholson Walk if the freehold for the Field was transferred to them.

·  The use of the term ‘asset’ to describe the Field was queried, as it suggested the potential to change the use of the Field. It was explained that this term was used loosely to describe a part of the Council’s estate, and restrictive covenants in place on the Field prevented change of use.

Members requested further information from Mid Kent Legal Services on the security provided by the covenants in place on the Field in order to be able to make a decision on the issue.

It was moved, seconded and:

RESOLVED: That the item be deferred until the 4 October 2016 meeting of the committee, and that the report to that committee include the additional information requested by Members.

For – 9  Against – 0    Abstain – 0