Agenda and minutes

Councillor Steve Young - personal

None.

Of the meeting held on 9 February 2017 (for confirmation)

Subject to listing Councillor Andrew Rule as in attendance, the minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2017 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

Report of Director of Strategic Finance

Thomas Straw, Senior Accountant for Capital Programmes presented the report which set out the proposed 2017/18 budgets for Bridge Estate, Harvey Hadden Stadium Trust and Highfields Trust. Eddie Curry, Head of Parks, Open Spaces and Investment Funding, updated the Committee on the progress of the project work taking place at Highfields Park.

The following points were highlighted:

Bridge Estate

(i)  premises costs are forecast to rise sharply due to the lift repairs required at Century House;

(ii)  due to an early repayment of loan principal in 2015/16, the budget for the repayment of debt has been reduced accordingly;

(iii)  £51,000 is projected to be drawn down from the un-earmarked reserves during Financial Year 2017/18 for charitable purposes a closing balance of £97,000 is projected at 31^st March 2018.

Highfields Park

(iv)  the new adventure  golf facility is in the process of being built. The terms of the Heritage Lottery Grant require a commitment to enhance maintenance at the site, so a Head Gardener will be appointed later next year. This will increase the cost of maintenance. There will be a full update report to Trustees in relation to this Project at the June meeting of the Committee;

(v)  the rents budget has reduced from the 2016/17 budget due to the loss of the Nottinghamshire County Football Club income but additional income from the Tennis Centre and Adventure Golf has partly mitigated the reduction.

Harvey Hadden Stadium

(vi)  there has been very little change, other than a slight reduction in the cost of grounds maintenance. There have been marginal increases in rents. However, the venue is now suitable to host and attract regional events.

RESOLVED to approve the 2017/18 budgets.

Report of Director of Strategic Assets and Property

Bevis Mackie, Senior Estates Surveyor, introduced the report which updates Trustees on the key matters relating to the Bridge Estate property portfolio, including progress since the last meeting and future recommended actions.

The following information was discussed:

(a)  there is confidence that the tenancy of 34 Lister Gate can be sustained during the development of the Broadmarsh Centre, and  the public right of way will remain open during the majority of the work;

(b)  an ‘assessment of historic significance’ will be undertaken on Trent Bridge, followed by a review of the planned maintenance schedule with a focus on conservation. The City Council Conservation Officer will be invited to attend a future meeting of the Committee;

(c)  clarity will be sought regarding the historic agreement between Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council regarding the responsibility and maintenance arrangements for Trent and Lady Bay Bridges;

(d)  Trustees noted that Trent Bridge is protected as a Listed Building and as a result the protected status brings with it increased costs in terms of maintaining the Bridge to the standard required and in manner compliant with its protected status; 

(e)  Trustees commented that they would like to be a position whereby the ‘assessment of historic significance’ and planned maintenance schedule have both been fully assessed and costed  in advance of the 2019 planned maintenance programme.

Further details are included within the exempt appendix.

RESOLVED to note the report.

To note that he next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for 2 June 2017, at 2pm in Loxley House.

Noted that the date of the next scheduled meeting is 2 June 2017.

To consider excluding the public from the meeting during consideration of the remaining items in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the basis that, having regard to all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the remaining items in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the basis that, having regard to all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs in the public interest in disclosing the information.

Of the meeting held on 9 February 2017 (for confirmation)

Subject to listing Councillor Andrew Rule as in attendance, the exempt minute of the meeting held on 9 February 2017 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.

Bevis Mackie, Senior Estates Surveyor,presented the exempt appendix to the report of the Director of Strategic Asset and Property Management with contributions from Connie Green, Solicitor.

RESOLVED to note the update and approve the recommendations.