Agenda item

            Exchange of Land Carr’s Glen Linear Park

            The Committee was advised that the former Parks and Cemeteries Services Sub-Committee, at its meeting on 7th November, 2006, had agreed to an exchange of lands between the Council and the Belfast Education and Library Board to facilitate the redevelopment of the Boys Model School at Carr’s Glen.  Following further discussions with representatives of the Board, it had been agreed to amend the detail of the land exchange.  The recommended land areas were considered by officers from both the Education and Library Board and the Council to represent a better solution because the original proposal would have created a dead-end path on Council-owned land, which could have become a gathering place with the ensuing possibility of anti-social behaviour which might have spilled over into the school grounds, while the revised proposal created a shorter boundary and eliminated the dead-end path and therefore reduced the possibility of creating a gathering space adjacent to the school boundary.

            The Director of Core Improvement pointed out that it would now be necessary to alter again the proposed lands to be transferred and he sought the Committee’s authority to conclude the negotiations in this regard.

            The Committee approved the exchange of lands with the Belfast Education and Library Board and authorised the Director of Core Improvement to agree the revised boundaries, subject to the completion of appropriate legal agreements.

            Proposed Acquisition of Land at Eversleigh Street

            The Committee was informed that the Parks and Leisure Committee, at its meeting on 14th February, had agreed, in principle, to accept the acquisition of land at Eversleigh Street, off My Lady’s Road, from the Housing Executive at nil cost but subject to:

(i)     the land being used to provide a play facility;

(ii)    an agreement being reached on the scheme design;

(iii)   external funding being secured; and

(iv)   the Council managing the completed facility and becoming responsible for routine maintenance and equipment replacement as necessary.  In addition, the Council would be required to carry public liability insurance for the facility following completion of the works.

            In accordance with Standing Order 60, the Committee noted the acquisition of the land.

            CityCemetery Gate Lodge (Fox’s Lodge)

            The Members were informed that the former Parks and Cemeteries Services Sub-Committee had agreed previously to dispose of the dwelling known as Fox’s Lodge which fronted the Whiterock Road at the City Cemetery.  The proposed disposal was to be through a Development Brief, preferably by way of a 25 year lease, although longer?term arrangements would be considered.  The primary objective contained within the Development Brief was to achieve restoration of the Lodge and the adjoining buildings in a sensitive manner which respected the architecture of the original building and the nature of the immediate surroundings in the City Cemetery.

            The Director of Improvement pointed out that the former Parks and Cemeteries Services Sub-Committee, at its meeting on 3rd May, 2007, had agreed that any monies raised from the disposal should be set against expenditure required within the City Cemetery.  He explained that that decision was contrary to the Local Government Act, which required any capital receipt to clear debt in respect of the asset involved, then general debt and only then for other purposes if approved by the Department of the Environment.

            After discussion, the Committee approved the disposal of Fox’s Lodge, agreed that the Development Brief be submitted to the Committee for consideration and agreed also that any capital receipt be treated in accordance with legislative requirements.