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| Warning by John Billam Tenterden Parks and Neighbourhood Group earlier this month |
The Proposal
.
2.1
That Members approve the proposal for a Community Asset Transfer of the
Tenterden Pavilion which involves entering into an agreement to lease that
includes provision for granting a lease of the pavilion for up to 30 years and
granting a licence on the Sports Ground with the Wembley Education Charitable
Trust Ltd (WECT), subject to continued access to community use, planning
and funding.
.
2.2
That Members note proposals for the WECT, in order to meet the community
use caveat above, to enter into an agreement with Forest United (1973) Youth FC
a local charitable football club at the Tenterden Pavilion and Sports Ground
during periods when it is not in use by the WECT and opportunity for community
access by other groups, in what will be a significant new local sporting
facility.
.
2.3
That Members delegate authority to the Director of Resources to finalise
and agree terms of a leasehold and associated licence disposal to WECT in
consultation with the Operational Director of Environment Services.
Risks
3.17 There are risks with the WECT
application:
.
Most
prominent is the lack of a full business plan which they have indicated would
be worked up, subject to obtaining Cabinet approval.
.
That
WECT is unsuccessful with securing planning consent to build a new indoor
sports facility with changing rooms together with an All Weather pitch at the
ground, as there may be local opposition.
.
The
WECTi s unsuccessful with its funding proposal to develop the centre to its
full potential although the risk is considered small.
.
That
WECT could exercise the lease break option in year 3,were the pupil number not
to rise to 1200 at the Lycee International de Londres School.
.
That
WECT and Forest United are unable to agree terms that would allow a
collaborative use of the grounds.
Alternative/Exit Options
3.18 Officers are working with WECT to develop
their proposals, however should the collaborative approach be unsuccessful with
Forest United then the options for Brent are:
1.
To
work with WECT on their own on the new sports facilities development proposal.
2.
To
work with Forest United to develop a much smaller Pavilion fitting on the
existing pavilion foot print as detailed in Appendix 1; or
3.
To
consider developing the Pavilion itself in accordance with Brent’s Investment
Strategy, provided the investment proposals stacks up, if this options were to
be progressed it would be subject to a detailed business case to Cabinet at the
appropriate time.
Interim Arrangements
3.19 The poor condition and disused state of the
pavilion on site has created a magnet for anti-social behaviour that has caused
residents and the local residents association a lot of concern. As
redevelopment plans will take some time to work through. WECT has agreed in
principle to assist the Council with demolition of the pavilion. Forest United
have said they will consider how a temporary structure can be built in its
place, connecting into the existing services that benefit the land. The Council
will need to grant a licence to enable this.
