A MEETING OF THE EMERGENCY SUB-BOARD
WAS HELD ON 22 MARCH 2004
The Mayor (ex-officio); Chairman of the Policy and Organisation Board (Councillor Cully) (Chairman) (P); Councillors Burgess, Edwards (P), Hook (P), M Russell (P) and Wright (P).
It was reported that in accordance with Standing Orders, Councillor Edwards had been nominated to attend this meeting in place of Councillor Bone.
11. APOLOGY
An apology for inability to attend the meeting was submitted on behalf of Councillor Burgess.
12. MINUTES
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Emergency Sub-Board held on 17 December 2003 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
PART II
13. MILLENNIUM WATERFRONT PROMENADE – PREMIER MARINAS (GOSPORT) LIMITED
The Sub-Board considered a report of the Director of Development and Environment (a copy of which is affixed in the Minute Book as Appendix "A") on the Millennium Waterfront Promenade.
It was reported that Gosport's Millennium Scheme had been very successful and was generally completed on schedule. There were, however, currently two outstanding elements. The Promenade within Royal Clarence Yard, which was to be completed by Berkeley Homes as part of their development, and the Promenade within the Gosport Marina land between Mumby Road and Harbour Road.
Many difficult meetings had taken place over the past few years between officers and Members of this Council with representatives of The Gosport Marina Limited. Several reports had been placed before Boards/Committees of this Council but no agreement could be reached that would provide a public walkway to the satisfaction of this Council. Following the decision of the Policy and Organisation Board on 22 January 2003 not to proceed with the terms suggested for the sale of Town Quay, negotiations with The Gosport Marina Limited ceased.
In recent months the Gosport Marina had been sold to Premier Marinas (Gosport) Limited. Premier Marinas (Gosport) Limited had approached both this Council and the Millennium Commission with a view to dedicating the walkway, which was now almost complete to the Millennium Commission's approved specification. The Director stressed that this proposal dealt solely with the dedication of the Promenade for use by the public and did not involve in any way the sale of any part of Town Quay where the Council held the freehold reversion subject to a long lease dated 1 February 1962 assigned to Premier Marinas (Gosport) Limited, which expired in 2061.
The proposed Deed of Dedication agreement would involve Premier Marinas (Gosport) Limited, The Millennium Commission, The Crown Estate and Gosport Borough Council. The Director had been advised that no mortgagee had an interest in this site at this time. The report detailed the proposed Heads of Terms for the agreement.
RESOLVED: That –
(i) approval be given to the Borough Council being party to a Deed of Dedication agreement in connection with the Millennium Waterfront Promenade between Mumby Road and Harbour Road, Gosport; and
(ii) the Borough Solicitor be authorised to enter into such documentation as is necessary to effect the above decision on such terms and conditions as may be considered necessary to protect the Council's interest in consultation with the Head of Property Services.
14. PENSIONS ADMISSION AGREEMENT – KELSEY HOUSING ASSOCIATION
The Sub-Board considered a report from the Deputy Chief Executive and Borough Treasurer concerning a proposed Pensions Admission Agreement for Kelsey Housing Association.
It was reported that Kelsey Housing Association had applied to Hampshire County Council for 'admitted body' status to the County Council's Pension Scheme. In order to have the application accepted, the Council was required to act as Guarantor. All current rules and discretion would apply.
The 'admitted body' status would only apply to those staff who were in the Pension Scheme (six in number, one of whom was due to return aged 65 on 13 May 2005) and who would be transferring to Kelsey Housing Association on the date of the transfer.
Members were advised that in order for the staff concerned to remain members of the Local Government Pension Scheme, 'admitted body' status had to be achieved by Kelsey Housing Association. Therefore the Council was required to act as Guarantor and this proposition was accordingly placed before Members of the Sub-Board for approval.
RESOLVED: That approval be given to the Council acting as Guarantor for Kelsey Housing Association in connection with their admission to the County Council's Pension Scheme.
15. NOBES HALL
(NOTE: The Chairman agreed to consider the Corporate Services Manager's report on Nobes Hall as an urgent item so that consideration could be given to the proposal to demolish Nobes Hall and options for its replacement).
Consideration was given to a report of the Corporate Services Manager regarding Nobes Hall.
It was reported that Nobes Hall had for many years been used for community purposes and was regularly used by a number of community groups and for occasional bookings and social events; the income last year had totalled £2,154. The building's condition had been gradually deteriorating. Within the past month this had been exacerbated by incidents of vandalism. Due to concerns over health and safety a decision had been made to close the building until further notice.
The age and condition of the Nobes Hall building were such that to invest in the necessary refurbishment was not viable. A report in March 2003 indicated that the building was at the end of its useful life and works costing £10,000 were needed to make it safe. These costs had now escalated due to vandalism. It was felt that it was now appropriate to consider options for the replacement of the Hall and the demolition of the existing structure. There was currently provision of £110,000 in the 2004/05 Capital Programme for the replacement of the Hall subject to relevant Board approval.
RESOLVED: That the Head of Property Services be instructed to arrange the demolition of Nobes Hall and recommend options for its replacement.
16. EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC
RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the under-mentioned item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 9 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.
17. 176/178 ROWNER LANE, GOSPORT
Consideration was given to an exempt report of the Corporate Services Manager (a copy of which is affixed in the Minute Book as Appendix "B") concerning 176/178 Rowner Lane, Gosport.
RESOLVED: That –
(i) the Head of Property Services be authorised to agree the sale price for the freehold disposal of 176/178 Rowner Lane, Gosport; and
(ii) the Borough Solicitor be authorised to enter into such legal documentation as is necessary to effect the above decision on such terms and conditions as may be considered necessary to protect the Council's interests in consultation with the Head of Property Services.
CHAIRMAN
