Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that Councillor Maton be appointed as Chair of the Joint Meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of the Executive Director of Place

The Cabinet Members considered a report of the Executive Director of Place which indicated that following a long running issue in the Bannerbrook Park Development on the future provision of street cleaning and grounds maintenance between the developer Permisson and residents, the City Council have been approached by Persimmon Homes South Midlands to manage an area of land as public open space.

The report sought approval to acquire approximately 4.8 acres of open space land from Persimmon Homes South Midlands to Streetscene and Greenspace Portfolio, Place Directorate. The cost of acquiring the land will be nil consideration, however, the freehold transfer will include a maintenance bond of £127,135 to cover a 10 year period and one-off cost of £2, 097 for remedial works on existing trees.

The Cabinet Members recognised issues raised by Ward Councillors at the meeting in relation to residents’ concerns regarding the maintenance of other areas of open space within the Bannerbrook Park development, but noted that these issues were private matters, to which the City Council has no privity of contract. The Cabinet Members also noted that officers had indicated to the developer that they were open to further discussions in relation to other areas of open space. 

RESOLVED:-

(1)  That the Cabinet Member for Business, Enterprise and Employment approves the acquisition of the land shown edged red on the plan attached to the report to the Place Directorate on the terms now indicated.

(2)  That the Cabinet Member for Public Services accepts the said land to be held within the portfolio of Streetscene and Greenspaces and maintained by the Council as Public Open Space on the basis set out in the report.

There were  no other items of urgent public business.