Gosport Borough Council Economic Development Board Meeting

Apologies for non attendance were received from Councillor Johnston, Councillor Mitchell  and Councillor Bateman.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Beavis be elected Chairman of the Economic Development Board.

The Chairman paid tribute to the outgoing of the Board Councillor Mrs Cully and thanked her for the hard work she had undertaken on the Board.

Councillor Philpott declared a pecuniary interest in agenda item 7

Councillor Hutchison declared a non pecuniary interest in agenda item 7

Councillor Beavis advised that he had offered support to the establishment of the library in Lee on the Solent.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th March 2021 be signed as a true and correct record.

There were none.

There were none.

Councillor Philpott declared a pecuniary interest left the room and took no further part in the discussions or voting thereon.

Councillor Hutchison declared a non pecuniary interest and remained in the room, but did not vote.

Councillor Beavis advised that he had offered support to the establishment of the library in Lee on the Solent but that would not affect his participation in the discussion or voting.

Consideration was given to a report by the Assistant Director Property & Investment, Regeneration Portsmouth City Council, setting out the details of the Council’s proposed acquisition of freehold land and buildings at 14 High Street Lee on the Solent and 136 Chantry Road, Elson Gosport, and the subsequent grant of a new Lease of Part at each location to the respective Community Hub.

The Board was advised that there were no updates to the report.

In answer to a Member’s question, the Board was advised that the two hubs were under a tenancy at will and the current landlords were Hampshire County Council.

This would change with the new lease and become Gosport Borough Council, however it was believed that Hampshire County Council were currently undertaking patch repairs to the roof at the Elson Library.

Members congratulated the officers at Hampshire County Council and at Gosport Borough Council for acting swiftly to move the agreements for the lease of the Hubs. Both Hubs were well established and popular and were very successful to date.

Tribute was paid to the Councillors that had been heavily involved in the establishment of the Hubs and praised the volunteers who had led to the success of the projects.

Members welcomed the availability of community spaces and welcomed their availability for groups after a difficult year.

It was recognised that the management of the facilities was a big task, with significant expense but that they were working hard to reduce the carbon footprint of the library.

Members concluded by complimenting the way in which the community had worked together to retain the essential community facilities and congratulated all those involved for their work on such a successful project.

RESOLVED:

That the Board approved:

i)      Gosport Borough Council's (GBC) acquisition of the freehold land and buildings shown outlined red on the plans attached at Appendices 1 and 2 from Hampshire County Council, being Lee on Solent and Elson Public Libraries (as marked) in the sum of £1.00 (each).  The land and buildings are subject to the existing residential tenancies already granted and a new covenant imposed by Hampshire County Council restricting GBC's use of the land & buildings to Community Library and ancillary community uses.

ii)     That Gosport Borough Council grant new Leases of the land and buildings to each of the Community Hubs as outlined blue on the plans attached at Appendices 1 and 2 except the first floor flat(s) coloured green and the parking & garden areas coloured yellow.  The Leases will be in accordance with the terms below and subject to the same restrictive covenant in i) above.

iii)   That delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive Officer and Borough Solicitor & Monitoring Officer to conclude  negotiations and agree details associated with i) and ii) above and complete the transactions.

There were none.