Issue - meetings

The Assistant Directors of Regeneration, Economic Development & Asset Management and Communities & Culture to present a report which seeks approval to grant Explore a lease of the Library Lawn and the ‘Store’ for exclusive use by Explore for cultural activities.

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.

The Strategic Services Manager, Communities & Equalities presented a report which sought approval to grant the council’s Library operator, Explore York Libraries and Archives Mutual Limited (Explore), a lease of the Library Lawn and the associated St Leonards Hospital Ruins (‘Store’) for cultural activities.

The Library Lawn and Store were owned by the council and had never been leased before; however, Explore’s lease of the library premises included occasional use of the Lawn for exhibitions and use of the Store for storage of library materials.  The Store was no longer needed by the council and Explore had a long-term ambition to develop the Lawn, as part of the Mint Yard area, into an exhibition space.  This would include forming partnerships with interested organisations to tell the history of York through its archives. Explore were also seeking the ability to sub-lease the Lawn in the short term to help generate income for their plans.

The Chief Executive of Explore, Fiona Williams, addressed the meeting, providing further details of their vision for this iconic but overlooked heritage area.

The Executive Member for Culture, Leisure & Communities supported the proposals and thanked the Explore team for their work for York residents over the past weeks.

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.