Decision details

The Service Lead: Communities and Wellbeing introduced the report which advised the Forum of the proposed management arrangements for the public open space at Kings Barton which largely falls within the Parish of Headbourne Worthy, with a small proportion sitting within the town ward of St Barnabas, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, for which the forum would have responsibility.

It was reported that Cabinet approval would be sought in July for the open space land (and associated maintenance) within the Headbourne Worthy Parish to be transferred in phases from Cala Homes to Headbourne Worthy Parish Council and for the open space land within the St Barnabas ward to be transferred from Cala Homes to the council and allocated to the town account. It was reported that this would come with a commuted sum for the maintenance of the land for the foreseeable future.  As a result, the management of public open space at Kings Barton could be delivered by two independent and separate maintenance regimes.

The forum noted that Headbourne Worthy Parish Council had offered to take responsibility of the land that falls within St Barnabas to be managed under a single contract which would require a share of the commuted sum due to the town forum to be passed onto them for the maintenance of the town land. It was clarified that long term governance arrangements for the area would not be resolved completely until 2025/26, after which time responsibility would pass could be passed on. The report sets out the reasons why it is believed this was a positive and pragmatic approach for the council to take going forward as an interim solution until arrangements for the Kings Barton area are reviewed alongside boundary matters.

Members asked a range of comments and questions which were responded to by the Service Lead: Communities and Wellbeing. These included details surrounding governance, the transfer of land, the boundary review and further clarification surrounding open space small pockets of highways land. 

          RESOLVED:

1.             That the proposed management arrangements for the public open space at Kings Barton that falls within the town wards be noted; and

2.             That the forum note that Cabinet be asked to approve the transfer of open space terms and the schedule of payments that will be made by Cala.