Issue - meetings

Decision:

1.   Authorised the Strategic Services Director, in consultation with the lead Councillor for Resources, to negotiate and enter into all property documentation required to grant licence agreements with the freeholders of Beechcroft Drive for less than best consideration.

2.   Approved the allocation of £11,000 revenue to cover the Council’s legal costs associated with the drafting and execution of the licences relating to Beechcroft Drive.

Reason:

This recommendation would provide the residents of Beechcroft Drive with an alternative access route to avoid having to enter/exit the residential street via the A3, as well as formalising the arrangement which relates to the Council’s own land ownership.

Other options considered and rejected by the Executive:

Options 1 and 2.

Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation granted:

None.

The report included an appendix that was classified by the Monitoring Officer as exempt under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). The Executive declined to discuss this appendix and the meeting remained in open session.

The existing access arrangements from Beechcroft Drive onto the A3 had long been identified by residents and public authorities alike as being compromised and dangerous. A permanent alternative vehicular access route had not been achieved, despite investigations and discussions taking place over a number of years.

 The Executive considered a report that sought authority to enter into licence agreements with the freeholders of Beechcroft Drive to provide residents with an alternative access route via the Council’s amenity land, at less than best consideration.

The Lead Councillor for Resources introduced the report and described the licence agreements as a pragmatic move. It was noted that the University had already issued licences to residents and urged the Executive to agree the recommendations and complete the access route.

Consequently, the Executive,

RESOLVED:

1.   The Strategic Services Director, in consultation with the lead Councillor for Resources, be authorised to negotiate and enter into all property documentation required to grant licence agreements with the freeholders of Beechcroft Drive for less than best consideration.

2.   The allocation of £11,000 revenue to cover the Council’s legal costs associated with the drafting and execution of the licences relating to Beechcroft Drive was approved.

Reason:

This recommendation would provide the residents of Beechcroft Drive with an alternative access route to avoid having to enter/exit the residential street via the A3, as well as formalising the arrangement which relates to the Council’s own land ownership.