Agenda for Overview & Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, 18th November, 2021, 6.00 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield, EN1 3XA. View directions

Contact: Email: democracy@enfield.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

11.

WELCOME & APOLOGIES

Minutes:

Councillor Susan Erbil welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained the process to be followed in hearing the Call-ins.

 

12.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members of the Council are invited to identify any disclosable pecuniary, other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests relevant to the items on the agenda.

 

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

13.

CALL-IN: LEASING OF WHITEWEBBS PARK GOLF COURSE pdf icon PDF 196 KB

To review the Portfolio decision taken on 22 October 2021 as a result of the matter having been Called-in.

 

(This item contains exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person – including the authority holding that information) of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Thorpe was welcomed as the Call-In lead and highlighted the following:

 

·         All concerns have been highlighted in the agenda papers.

·         There has been a lack of stakeholder engagement during the process. Residents and site holders have been consistent in their opposition to these plans. They have held protests and petitions and detailed submissions.

·         Only 35% of the scoring bids related to rent or premium offered, yet we have been repeatedly told that financial implications have been cited as a main driver in looking to lease the site. The total rent received will only be circa £2m for the 25 year period, which is hugely undervaluing the site.

·         The proposal does not specifically say that the £500k upfront is ring fenced for improvements to Whitewebbs.

·         The bidding process took place before lockdown. The pandemic has changed the economy, the retail, hospitality, and leisure industry but the report does not address this.

·         The plan reduces public access as areas of the park that are currently open to the public are planned to be turned into a private training facility.

 

14.

RESPONSE TO REASONS FOR CALL-IN: LEASING OF WHITEWEBBS PARK GOLF COURSE pdf icon PDF 175 KB

To receive the response to the reasons for Call-In: Leasing of Whitewebbs Park Golf Course.

Minutes:

·         The Cabinet Member acknowledged that Whitewebbs is an important area for the borough and that there is a level of anxiety with residents when it comes to our parks. We are here today to provide further assurance.

·         The cabinet member confirmed she has a clear record of working in interest of the borough and often meets with major stakeholders within the borough for a variety of reasons. Members are welcomed to put in a complaint if they have concerns.

·         Although others have a different view, there was adequate consultation done. This has been detailed in several reports and timetables. Delays were because our organisation was focusing on the direct response to Covid-19, this has not undermined the procurement process.

·         Officers advised they have been clear throughout the process that the maximum rent would not be the deciding factor and the rent is comparable with other golf courses. An open and transparent bidding process was held. There was a focus on maintaining public access, positive investment and financial stability.

 

The Chair invited questions and comments from Members, relevant to the call-in reasons:

·         When Tottenham Hotspur but in a bid to part let part of the site, were they invited to revise their bid. Officers confirmed all bidders were given the same information and option to revise the bids.

·         Regarding access to the site, development, and the impact on nature we are told it is a matter for planning, however the lease should define this. do we have the ability to legally challenge them on this? Officers confirmed that we would not award a lease until planning is granted. There will be a draft lease and the ability to amend this after consultation. The tenant is obliged to comply with any conditions in planning consent. We regularly review lease agreements with tenants.

·         We are told you engaged with and involved stakeholders but there has been several detailed questions to the Leader which have had no response. The leader confirmed she received hundreds of emails a week and they are all responded to and would be happy to be contacted tomorrow with any outstanding questions. They are publicly available documents which answer these questions.

·         There has been no transparency on cost and no detail on controllable internal charges, can you explain how this is losing money and what is in it for Spurs. They have lots of money and are getting it for a low cost, what profit share will we get back. Officers confirmed the questions have already been addressed by themselves and the director of finance and the finances are set out in public documents. Tottenham are a major stakeholder who have been in the borough for a decade. They have proposed the first women’s training ground in the country.

·         Concerns were raised for wildlife and access to the public. Officers clarified that the proposals maintain a majority of the woodlands to be controlled by the council, provides money to improve public footpaths and accessibility.

·         Who were the stakeholders the discussions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

Business Meeting

Thursday 25 November 2021

 

Business Meeting

Wednesday 1 December 2021

 

Budget Meeting

Thursday 16 December 2021

Minutes:

The dates of future meetings were noted and amendments have been sent via email.