Issue - meetings

This report seeks an Executive decision on granting two long term leases to Friends of York Walls at Fishergate Postern Tower and Ovington Cricket Club at Little Knavesmire, for Council owned land and buildings.

Resolved: That the Executive agree to:

(i)      The letting of Fishergate Postern to The Friends of York Walls (a charitable incorporated organisation) for a Term of 30 years at a peppercorn rent in accordance with the lease terms as set out in the Council’s Asset Transfer Policy.

(ii)    The granting of a new lease to Ovington Cricket Club for a Term of 35 years at an initial rent of £580 per annum (with an Retail Price Index increase every 5 years).

(iii)   The inclusion of a clause in the terms of the above leases to ensure that they cannot be assigned to a third party.

Reason: (i)          To enable an unused scheduled ancient monument to be utilised and improved.

(ii)         In order for the club to continue a long established playing association on Little Knavesmire.

Consideration was given to a report which sought Executive approval to the granting of two long term leases the first to the Friends of York Walls (FOYW) at Fishergate Postern Tower and the second to Ovington Cricket Club at Little Knavesmire.

Officers confirmed the request received from the FOYW was to let the property on a long term lease with the aim of turning the tower into a visitor attraction and meeting place/cafe. Members welcomed the request which would bring a building, which had been vacant for many years, back into beneficial use.

Members were also informed that the Ovington Cricket Club currently had a 21 year lease with the Council, which expired in July 2016. The club had played on the same site at Little Knavesmire since 1936 and planning permission had recently been granted to extend the existing pavilion however, a small area of land classed as Public Open Space, adjacent to the building, was required for incorporation into the new lease.

The Chair proposed the inclusion of a clause in the new leases to prevent the bodies from assigning the lease to a third party.

 Resolved: That the Executive agree to:

(i)      The letting of Fishergate Postern to The Friends of York Walls (a charitable incorporated organisation) for a Term of 30 years at a peppercorn rent in accordance with the lease terms as set out in the Council’s Asset Transfer Policy.

(ii)    The granting of a new lease to Ovington Cricket Club for a Term of 35 years at an initial rent of £580 per annum (with an Retail Price Index increase every 5 years).

(iii)   The inclusion of a clause in the terms of the above leases to ensure that they cannot be assigned to a third party.^1.

Reason: (i)          To enable an unused scheduled ancient monument to be utilised and improved.

(ii)         In order for the club to continue a long established playing association on Little Knavesmire.