Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2018 were signed as a correct record.

Councillors/Staff to give notice of any disclosable pecuniary interest, other registrable interest or any other interest and the nature of that interest relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

7.  Consideration of proposals for the development of a new community stadium for Workington.

Councillor Alan Smith; Interest; Due to him being a shareholder of Workington Association Football Club, Councillor Smith made it clear that it was not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, the total nominal value of the shares being under the threshold of a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, and explained that he had an open mind and was interested in the project as a whole, the football club being only a small part of a much wider regeneration project with jobs and longer term sustainability for the Council as set out in more detail in the report.

7.  Consideration of proposals for the development of a new community stadium for Workington.

Councillor Mark Fryer; Interest; Due to him being a shareholder of Workington Town R.L.F.C. Councillor Fryer made it clear that it was not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, the total nominal value of the shares being under the threshold of a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, and explained that he had an open mind and was interested in the project as a whole, the rugby club being only a small part of a much wider regeneration project with jobs and longer term sustainability for the Council as set out in more detail in the report.

8.  Future plans for Borough Park and Derwent Park.

Councillor Alan Smith; Interest; Due to him being a shareholder of Workington Association Football Club, Councillor Smith made it clear that it was not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, the total nominal value of the shares being under the threshold of a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, and explained that he had an open mind and was interested in the project as a whole, the football club being only a small part of a much wider regeneration project with jobs and longer term sustainability for the Council as set out in more detail in the report.

8.  Future plans for Borough Park and Derwent Park.

Councillor Mark Fryer; Interest; Due to him being a shareholder of Workington Town R.L.F.C. Councillor Fryer made it clear that it was not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, the total nominal value of the shares being under the threshold of a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, and explained that he had an open mind and was interested in the project as a whole, the rugby club being only a small part of a much wider regeneration project with jobs and longer term sustainability for the Council as set out in more detail in the report.

To answer questions from members of the public – submitted in writing or by electronic mail no later than 5.00pm, 2 working days before the meeting.

None received.

None received.

The subject of the decision

The Customer Operations Manager submitted a report which sought members to agree a level of premium on the council tax payable in respect of a long-term empty dwelling.

In 2013 Allerdale Borough Council introduced a premium for all long-term empty dwellings, which meant that a 50% premium would be applied to the council tax payable in respect of all dwellings which had been empty for more than 2 years.

The introduction of Rating (Property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax (Empty Dwellings) Act 2018 allowed local billing authorities the discretion to increase the percentage by which a billing authority in England may increase the council tax payable in respect of a long-term empty dwelling.

Councillor B Cannon moved the recommendation as set out in the report. This was seconded by Councillor A Smith. The recommendation was unanimously agreed.

Alternative options considered

1.  Not to increase the premium above the existing 50% as agreed in 2013

2.  To increase the premium to 100% for 2019/20 onwards

3.  To apply all 3 of the increased premiums

The reason for the decision

To agree a proposal which would provide an incentive to owners to bring empty properties in to occupation therefore increasing the availability of accommodation either to buy and/or rent.

The decision

Recommended – That Council are requested to agree to set the higher amount of Council Tax payable for prescribed dwelling ‘Class C’ (or equivalent as amended by the Local Government Finance Act 2012), i.e. standard empty and unfurnished properties that have remained so for a continuous period of:

a)  least 2 years, at a level of 100% with effect from 1 April 2019

b)  at least 5 years, at a level of 200% with effect from 1 April 2020

c)  at least 10 years, at a level of 300% with effect from 1 April 2021.

The subject of the decision

The Head of Place Development submitted a report which sought members to consider the outline business case for the development of a new community stadium in Workington and agree further work required in relation to the delivery of that project.

In early 2018 the Council was approached by Workington Town Rugby League Club and Workington Reds AFC to seek support in the consideration of proposals to develop a new community stadium for the clubs. A Project Board was established to identify a preferred site and explore key parameters and options for the development of a new stadium.

Councillor M Fryer moved the recommendations set out in the report. This was seconded by Councillor A Smith. The recommendations were unanimously agreed.

Alternative options considered

As detailed in the report.

The reason for the decision

To consider the outline business case for the development of a new community stadium in Workington and agree further work required in relation to the delivery of that project.

The decision

Resolved

That -

1. Members agree to proceed with proposals to develop a new community stadium for Workington on the site of Borough Park / Lonsdale Park, Workington subject to:

-  Subsequent approval of the full business case including the financial business case, operating arrangements and funding arrangements:

-  The grant of planning permission.

2. The approval of heads of terms with Workington Town and Workington Reds in relation to the commercial terms for the use of the stadium be delegated to the Corporate Director.
3. The approval of heads of terms with the NHS and Sellafield Ltd in relation to the rental of office space within the development be delegated to the Head of Place Development.
4. The extension of the appointment of the design team and other related appointments required to develop the design to the end of RIBA Stage 3 be agreed
5. That members agree to the appointment of consultants to undertake intrusive grounds investigation works and radon assessment to inform future design development work.
6. A total spend of £373,955 be approved from the Strategic Priorities budget made up as follows:

• £228,603 for Design fees and related appointments

• £101,602 for Ground investigation works

• £26,000 for planning fees

• £17,750 design and planning of 3G pitch

“That under Section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of part 1 of Schedule 12 (a) of the Act.”

The subject of the decision

The Head of Place Development submitted a report which sought members to agree on the future plans for Borough Park and Derwent Park, Workington.

Councillor M Fryer moved the recommendations set out in the report. This was seconded by Councillor A Smith. The recommendations were unanimously agreed.

Alternative options considered

Not to endorse the proposed course of action.

The reason for the decision

To approve a decision on the future plans for Borough Park and Derwent Park.

The decision

Resolved

That the recommendations as set out in the report be agreed.