Decision details

The Council considered the report of the Director of Service Delivery advising that the Strategy and Resources Committee at its meeting on 28 January 2021 had considered a report seeking revision to the lease agreement for Millfields Caravan Park, Burnham-on-Crouch.  The Committee resolved that the revision along with additional information should be deferred to the Council for decision.  The report detailed the proposed lease revision and detailed the additional information requested by the Strategy and Resources Committee and sought Members’ approval for a revised lease agreement.

The report, along with seven appendices, set out background information regarding the development of the Millfields Caravan Park, including the tendering process completed in 2012, planning conditions applied, contamination information and a summary of key issues.  Detailed legal advice and analysis from the Council’s Environmental Health Officer, was also set out in the report along with options for Members’ consideration.

Following a presentation of the report by Officers a number of questions were raised and Members commented on the proposed development.  In response further information regarding the options available to Members was provided.

Councillor A S Fluker referred to the Planning Permissions granted on the site and the benefits of the development.  He proposed that recommendations (i) and (ii) as set out in the report be agreed.

Following further discussion, the Chairman put that recommendation (i) as set out in the report and this was duly seconded and agreed by assent.

In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor K M H Lagan requested a recorded vote.  This was duly seconded.

The Chairman then put recommendation (ii) as set out in the report to the Committee, duly seconded and the voting was as follows:

For the recommendation:

Councillors Miss A M Beale, B S Beale, R G Boyce, Mrs P A Channer, M F L Durham, M R Edwards, Mrs J L Fleming, A S Fluker, M S Heard, M W Helm, A L Hull, K W Jarvis, J V Keyes, C Mayes, C P Morley, S P Nunn, R H Siddall, W Stamp, C Swain, Mrs M E Thompson and Miss S White.

Against the recommendation:

Councillors M G Bassenger, K M H Lagan, N G F Shaughnessy and N J Skeens.

Abstention:

Councillor V J Bell.

RESOLVED

(i)              That Members note the work undertaken by Officers to establish the experience of Birch’s Leisure Parks Limited in delivering schemes dealing with contaminated sites, and that through discussion an improved position has been offered reflecting the Council’s need to retain an acceptable income stream but recognising the additional costs in dealing with greater contamination that envisaged on the site;

(ii)            That Members approve the proposed revision to the 50-year lease agreement with Birch’s Leisure Parks Limited for the Millfields Caravan Park, Burnham-on- Crouch which gives a total revenue income of £2.5m for the period of the agreement be approved as detailed in this report.