Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Resources, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Service Delivery providing an update and seeking approval for a revised lease agreement for the Millfields Caravan Park in Burnham-on-Crouch.

The report, along with four appendices, set out background information regarding the development of the Millfields Caravan Park, tendering process completed in 2012, planning conditions applied 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.

The Chairman moved the recommendations as set out in the report and this was duly seconded.

During the debate that ensued, some concerns were raised relating to the lease, its technical details and in response the Commercial Manager advised that further assessments could be carried out but this could impact the current lease agreement.

Councillor Miss S White proposed that the lease agreement not be revised, that deferment be considered pending an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).  In response the Commercial Manager advised that an EIA had been carried out as part of planning conditions and discharged by the Council’s Environmental Health Officers. 

Further debate ensued and in response to questions, the Commercial Manager provided additional information to the Committee.  During the debate it was suggested that the decision should be made by the Council.  The Commercial Manager advised that the Committee had previously approved the award of a lease in respect of the Caravan Park.

The Chairman moved the recommendations to the Council.  In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor K M H Lagan requested a recorded vote. 

In response to a request to amend the recommendation the Chairman advised that the Committee would vote on the recommendations and should they fail then further options could be considered.

A recorded vote on the recommendations as set out in the report was then taken and the results were as follows:

For the recommendation:

Councillors Mrs P A Channer, M F L Durham, M W Helm, R H Siddall and Mrs M E Thompson.

Against the recommendation:

Councillors M R Edwards, K M H Lagan, W Stamp, Mrs J Stilts, C Swain and Miss S White.

Abstention:

There were none.

The motion was declared lost.

Members discussed deferral of the decision pending further information and during the discussion the Director of Resources explained that Members needed to be clear if agreeing to defer the application what additional information was required.

The Chairman proposed that revision of the lease agreement for Millfields Caravan Park be deferred to the Council with further information provided on the lease and site contamination.  Following further discussion the Chairman amended his proposal to refer to additional information including details of the arrangements of the lease, land contamination and the original planning application.  This proposal was duly seconded and agreed by assent.

RESOLVED that revision of the lease agreement for the Millfields Caravan Park, Burnham-on-Crouch be deferred to the Council for determination subject to additional information, including details of the lease arrangements,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 231