Issue - meetings

Item CB 21/58 referred from Cabinet of 2 June 2021

Item CB 21/58 referred from Cabinet minutes of 2 June 2021.

RESOLVED: That the recommendations at Minute CB 21/58 be approved.

A report introducing a proposed new policy setting out how applications made to use the Council’s open spaces will be assessed was considered by the Communities and Housing Advisory Board on 25 May 2021.

Due to the timescale and print deadlines for Cabinet, recommendations arising from the Advisory Board will be circulated to Members in advance of the meeting.

Consideration was given to the recommendations from the meeting of the Communities and Housing Advisory Board of 25 May 2021 (as set out at Minute Number CH 21/14).

Particular reference was made to the request to include an annual fee schedule for regular activities.  Due to the volume and differing sizes and scales of activities identified it was not considered practicable to produce an annual fee schedule without further information.  However, Officers committed to reassessing the need for an annual fee schedule for particularly common regular activities following a one year ‘pilot’ of the new Policy when there was a better understanding of the types of applications being received.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)             the Policy on the Use of the Council’s Open Spaces (attached at Annex 1) be adopted, subject to consideration of:

-        there being a requirement for membership of a relevant professional association for certain activities, including professional dog walking;

(2)             administration fees and charges are introduced as detailed in the Policy, subject to consideration of

-        the requirement for an annual fee schedule for common regular activities be re-assessed following a one year period

(3)             delegated authority be granted to the Cabinet Members for Finance, Innovation and Property and Community Services to consider and determine appeals; and

(4)             delegated authority be granted to the Cabinet Members for Finance, Innovation and Property and Community Services to determine fees and charges in exceptional circumstances.

*Referred to Council

This report introduces a proposed new policy which sets out how applications made to use the Council’s open spaces will be assessed

The report of the Director of Central Services and the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services set out proposals for a Policy on the Use of the Council’s Open Spaces and explained how applications would be assessed.

There had been an increased level of interest about using open spaces as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, which had identified a need for an overarching policy on how applications would be assessed and managed.

The Policy also introduced an administration fee for processing applications, set out a proposed charging structure and the criteria against which a charge would be assessed.

Members supported the introduction of a Policy on the Use of Open Spaces to offer clarity to potential users.  However, it was felt that evidence of professional qualifications for certain activities should be part of the assessment criteria to provide reassurance.  In addition, Members felt that an annual fee schedule for regular activities would be beneficial.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)             the Policy on the Use of the Council’s Open Spaces (attached at Annex 1) be adopted, subject to consideration of:

-        there being a requirement for membership of a relevant professional association for certain activities, including professional dog walking;

(2)             administration fees and charges are introduced as detailed in the Policy, subject to consideration of

-        an annual fee schedule for regular activities being outlined

(3)             delegated authority be granted to the Cabinet Members for Finance, Innovation and Property and Community Services to consider and determine appeals; and

(4)             delegated authority be granted to the Cabinet Members for Finance, Innovation and Property and Community Services to determine fees and charges in exceptional circumstances.

*Referred to Council