Decision No: CAB145 - 03/2008

Forward Plan No: HN02605

This record relates to A16 on the agenda for the Decision-Making

RECORD OF EXECUTIVE DECISION

17/03/2008  

DECISION-MAKER:

CABINET  

PORTFOLIO AREA:

Leisure And Neighbourhoods  

SUBJECT:

Submission of Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Bid - Parks for People  

AUTHOR:

Jon Dyer-Slade  

THE DECISION

To approve the proposals / recommendations contained in the report without modification as set out below.
(i) To approve the submission of a funding application to the Parks for People programme for major improvements to St James’ Park, Shirley.
(ii) To delegate to the Head of Neighbourhood Management authority to make necessary minor amendments to the application prior to submission.
(iii) To authorise officers to finalise arrangements for shared use of the park building with the Friends of St James’ Park and clarify future leasing arrangements.
(iv) To authorise the Head of Property Services to:-
(a) undertake statutory consultation with all interested parties and stakeholders; and
(b) should no objections be received to disposal of part of St James’ Park by way of lease.
(v) To authorise a project steering group of key officers and Friends to manage the project on the council’s behalf with the Cabinet Member of Leisure and Neighbourhoods acting as champion.
 

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

1. Development of Southampton’s Green Space Strategy has identified St James’ Park as a key site for improvement and the Parks for People programme is an ideal funding programme to apply to for this park.

2. Due to the fixed HLF deadline any comments made by Cabinet will need to be incorporated into the application in a very short timescale. It is recommended that authority to make necessary minor amendments to the application prior to submission is delegated to the Head of Neighbourhood Management.
3. It is important at this stage to explore the most suitable way of managing the park building once it is completed, to ensure that community use is maximised.
4. The council will be required to undertake statutory consultation when considering disposal of the park building to the Friends of St James’ Park under a lease agreement.
5. A project of this nature and involving Lottery funding requires a strong management structure that will ensure the project’s success and support at the appropriate level.
 

DETAILS OF ANY ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

1. To not apply for HLF funding. This was rejected as the scale of improvements required in St James’ Park cannot be met from existing council budgets and therefore needs support from an external funder.
2. To apply to an alternative external funder. This was rejected as Parks for People is the most appropriate programme for the park as it has a high level of community involvement and strong heritage value.
3. To not make improvements in St James’ Park. The park has a very enthusiastic Friends group who are keen to improve the park for local residents. Working with this group is a real opportunity to make a difference in the park, involving the community wherever possible. This opportunity should not be missed. The park is in need of improvement to provide a fit for purpose facility for today’s communities. Improvements to St James’ Park also meet council priorities to increase community involvement achieve neighbourhood renewal within a Priority Neighbourhood and will bring an underused asset into full use.
 

OTHER RELEVANT MATTERS CONCERNING THE DECISION

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The decision-maker(s) did not declare a personal or prejudicial interest in the matters set out in the report  

CONFIRMED AS A TRUE RECORD:

We certify that the decision this document records was made in accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000 and is a true and accurate record of that decision.

Date:

Decision Maker:

17/03/2008

Cabinet

Proper Officer:

Judy Cordell

SCRUTINY

Note: This decision will come in to force at the expiry of 5 working days from the date of publication subject to any review under the Council's Scrutiny 'Call-In' provisions.

Call-In Period

18 March 2008 to 27 March 2008

Date of Call-in (if applicable) (this suspends implementation)

Call-in Procedure completed (if applicable)

Call-in heard by (if applicable)

Results of Call-in (if applicable)