Issue - items at meetings - Nomination of Sites for Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge

Report of the Strategic Director, Place (copy attached).

1.       That Committee approve the sites nominated for protection under the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge (Blakers Park, Carden Park, Woodingdean Bowls Club, Horsdean Recreation Ground and Hangleton Park)

2.       That the Committee delegates authority to the Strategic Director of Place, after consultation with the Chair of the Committee and the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, to consider and put forward additional nominations received before 14th December 2012.  These nominations are expected to include St Nicholas Rest Gardens and Kingsway Bowls Club, both of which have expressed an interest in the scheme;

3.      That the Committee delegates authority to the Strategic Director of Place and the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to agree and complete all documentation associated with the nominations.

35.1               The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place that set out the background to the Queen Elizabeth Fields Challenge initiative and sought approval for the proposed sites for protection under the scheme.

35.2               Councillor West stated that he was very pleased that Committee could receive the report. Councillor West added that slow start he was glad to see many community groups had now put forward their local open spaces for consideration for dedication.

He was glad the initiative has received cross party support, and noted that the chronology overlooked that officers had already instructed to begin looking at sites we could put forward to become Fields in Trust before the Conservative Group tabled their Notice of Motion. Councillor West stated his administrations support for the initiative.

35.3      The Head of Projects and Strategy provided a historical background to the issue. He further explained that the criteria for selection were broad, as summarised in the report, as a result of which the majority of public open spaces in the city could be eligible for nomination.

The majority of open spaces in the city were already protected by deeds of covenant, the City Plan or Planning law so most sites were unlikely to be lost unless a very strong case can be made for their development. 

The Head of Projects and Strategy added it should be noted that nomination of sites under the scheme will require the council to enter in to a Deed of Dedication which will effectively prevent the council from disposing of nominated sites in future.

The benefits of the scheme included: Raising the profile of local sites; an opportunity to gain more community involvement and the opportunity to bid for potential funds for nominated sites

Sports groups and Friends of groups were invited to put their sites forward explaining why: they felt their site should be protected; how their site encouraged residents to enjoy sport and recreation and what they would do for the Have a Field Day launch.

The Head of Projects and Strategy went on to explain that nominated sites need to be checked by planning to ensure they did not conflict with the council’s planning policies and ensure there are no legal reasons preventing their nomination.

The Head of Projects and Strategy stated that nominations had now been received from: Blakers Park; Carden Park; Horsdean Recreation Ground; Woodingdean Bowls Club and Hangleton Park. These sites had been checked and are recommended for nomination.

Expressions of interest had also been received from: St Nicholas Rest Garden; Kingsway Bowls Club and Three Cornered Copse

Checks on these sites were being carried out and the Cityparks team were working with these representatives from these sites to submit their nominations.

35.3               Councillor Cobbb stated her delight that the Committee could receive the report and she welcomed that later requests for nomination could be accepted.

35.4               Councillor Mitchell stated her support for the proposals and her hope that more applications would be submitted.

35.5               RESOLVED-

1.       That Committee approve the sites nominated for protection under the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge (Blakers Park, Carden Park, Woodingdean Bowls Club, Horsdean Recreation Ground and Hangleton Park)

2.       That the Committee delegates authority to the Strategic Director of Place, after consultation with the Chair of the Committee and the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, to consider and put forward additional nominations received before 14th December 2012.  These nominations are expected to include St Nicholas Rest Gardens and Kingsway Bowls Club, both of which have expressed an interest in the scheme;

3.       That the Committee delegates authority to the Strategic Director of Place and the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to agree and complete all documentation associated with the nominations.