Issue - meetings

To receive a report seeking to gain full approval to allow delegated authority to Senior Officers to fully execute the leases for the land adjacent to the current nature reserve allowing for an extension of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve following the completion of gravel extraction operations and agreed restoration works. 

The report also seeks to set out the current legal position as supplied by 3C Legal Shared Services and to provide Council the full confidence in which full approval for this scheme and delegated authority can be given to Senior Officers to proceed with this matter.

The report also seeks approval for the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment and associated teams in principle to explore wider opportunities to develop existing and new sites across the Council’s parks and open spaces to support wildlife and conservation, health and wellbeing, physical activity and commercial sustainability opportunities

Executive Councillor: J Kerr

The Cabinet

·  approved and gave delegated authority to fully execute the leases for the land adjacent to the current nature reserve allowing for an extension of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve following the completion of gravel extraction operations and agreed restoration works;

·  agreed and approved the feedback from 3C Legal Shared Services outlined in Section 10 which provided confidence and clarity to the Council in moving forward with the extension of leases;

·  supported the principle of officers engaging in efforts to acquire land and buildings in connection with the principle of exploring wider opportunities to not only develop existing sites across the Council’s parks and open spaces but also new sites and spaces to support wildlife and conservation, health and wellbeing, physical activity and commercial sustainability opportunities.

A report by the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which sought approval to allow delegated authority to Senior Officer’s to fully execute the leases for the land adjacent to the current nature reserve allowing for an extension of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve following the completion of gravel extraction operations and agreed restoration works. 

The report also set out the current legal position as supplied by 3C Legal Shared Services and provided the full confidence in which full approval for this scheme and delegated authority could be given to Senior Officers to proceed with this matter.

Furthermore, the report sought to gain approval for the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment and associated teams in principle to explore wider opportunities to develop existing and new sites across the Council’s parks and open spaces to support wildlife and conservation, health and wellbeing, physical activity and commercial sustainability opportunities.

The Executive Councillor for Parks and Countryside, Waste and Street Scene set out the report, with the aid of the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment - Gregg Holland, and the Parks & Countryside Development Coordinator - Kirstien Drew, who delivered a presentation.

The Head of Leisure, Health & Environment - Gregg Holland, in response to questions from the Cabinet, explained that the lease incorporated the conditions between all three parties. As the site was Special Scientific Interest it needed to be managed in accordance to a specific site management plan. At the conclusion of the lease, whoever had ownership would have to manage the site in the same way.

The Cabinet noted that the reserve was a fantastic facility and a great asset to Little Paxton. It also had excellent link-up benefits to other Towns and had been a long time coming. The comments from the Overview & Scrutiny (Environment, Communities and Partnerships) Panel were noted, particularly around the ongoing cost to the Council, which were comprehensively answered to the satisfaction of the Scrutiny Panel.

The Head of Health, Leisure & Environment – Gregg Holland, advised that financially officers were comfortable with what was set out in the report. In terms of highway management, the Council would work with the appropriate other authorities to develop the site and ensure the highways were accessible for all and safe for visitors attending the site.

Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet

·  approved and gave delegated authority to fully execute the leases for the land adjacent to the current nature reserve allowing for an extension of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve following the completion of gravel extraction operations and agreed restoration works;

·  agreed and approved the feedback from 3C Legal Shared Services outlined in Section 10 which provided confidence and clarity to the Council in moving forward with the extension of leases;

·  supported the principle of officers engaging in efforts to acquire land and buildings in connection with the principle of exploring wider opportunities to not only develop existing sites across the Council’s parks and open spaces but also new sites  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32

The Panel is invited to comment on the Paxton Pits Nature Reserve Extension of Leases report.

Executive Councillor: J Kerr

By means of a report and presentation by the Head of Leisure, Health and Environment (copies of which were appended in the Minute Book), the Paxton Pits Nature Reserve Extension of Leases Report was presented to the Panel.

Following an enquiry, the Panel were advised that the

team were confident that the site, at its proposed increase size, could be managed with existing staffing arrangements following the appointment of an Apprenticeship Ranger. 

It was confirmed to the Panel, that the site map within the report detailed the existing site with a black boarder and the proposed extension with coloured detail. It was also noted that discussions with Highways in relation to access and egress to the expanded site were ongoing.

The Panel also heard that opportunities to expand the site further whilst remaining financially sustainable would continue to be developed.  It was also noted that the insurance liability premiums for the site had been

established and that the detail on this would be circulated to the Panel

following the meeting. 

It was advised that opportunities for Paxton Pits and Hinchingbrooke Country Park to be utilised on behalf of the Council as physical assets and how this may be facilitated with developers in the district were being developed. 

It was observed that the bridleways across the site were due to be opened in 2029, however, should there be opportunity to open at an earlier date, this would allow for cycleways between St Neots and Huntingdon to be developed. 

The Panel heard that the development project at Hinchingbrooke Country Park was underway and that Officers would continue to investigate ways to develop and increase footfall and accessibility across both sites whilst maintaining financial sustainability. 

Following the discussion, it was

RESOLVED

that the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel be passed to Cabinet for their consideration when making a decision upon the recommendations within the report.