Decision details

Purpose of report is to seek permission to grant Explore York a lease of the Library Lawn and the ‘Store’ for exclusive use by for cultural activities, until 31 March 2034.

The Executive will be asked to agree to the granting of the lease to Explore until 31 March 2034, subject to the publication of a Section 123 notice regarding the disposal of public open space in relation to Library Lawn.

While we always aim for items to be submitted to the forward plan 28 days prior to the meeting, this is not always possible. This item was originally part of the Recovery and Renewal Strategy item also scheduled to be considered at the 23 July 2020 meeting of the Executive, but it has now been agreed that it would be a standalone property item.

Resolved:  (i)      That approval be given to grant a lease of Library Lawn and the St Leonard’s Hospital Ruins (Store) to Explore York and Archives Mutual Limited (Explore) until 31 March 2034, under the terms set out in the report, to enable them to deliver cultural activities (subject to consideration by Executive at a later date of any comments or objections receive from the public in response to the Section 123 open space notice regarding Library Lawn referred to in (ii) below).

Reason:     To allow Explore to use the space in connection with the operation of York Explore Library and sub-lease to third parties to generate income.

                   (ii)      That approval be given to publish a notice in the local newspaper advertising the proposal to grant a lease, as Library Lawn is ‘open space’ land used by the public for recreation.

Reason:     This is a statutory requirement under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 before a lease or other disposal of open space land can be granted by a local authority.