Decision

To:

1. Declare the land outlined red on the plan attached at Appendix 1 surplus to requirements.

2. Advertise the leasehold disposal of the land outlined red on the plan attached at Appendix 1 in accordance with the requirements of Section 123 of the Local Government Act,1972 (‘the Act’).

3. Subject to no representations being received to the advertisement described at point 2 above, accept a surrender of the two peppercorn leases held by Boston Tennis Club dated 17 June 1996 and 2 May 2001 granting a back-to-back, excluded, 125-year, full repairing and insuring lease of all land shaded grey (including the grey shaded area outlined red) on the plan attached at Appendix 1 to Boston Tennis Club. The lease is to be granted at Market Rent as assessed by the Council’s Registered Valuer and carry the upward only rent reviews and other terms prescribed by the Council in the Heads of Terms offered to and accepted by the Club. Lease to grant the same access and egress provisions as the current leases.

In the event any representations are received in respect of the advertisement described at point 2 above, this decision will be paused and the representations referred to the Council’s Cabinet for consideration and decision as required by the Act.

Reasons for the decision

Effecting the decision set out within this record will:

• See the two leases currently held by Boston Tennis Club move from a ‘peppercorn’ rent to a Market Rent, significantly increasing the income and benefit from the land to the Council.

• Enable the Club, as a charity, to increase its offer in accordance with its objectives, further enhancing the opportunity for community participation in sport and physical activity, strengthening the sustainability of the Club’s offer over the long term.

Alternative options considered

• Not to dispose and accept a surrender of the two leases described in this record and not to grant a new, extended lease – not considered the most advantageous decision.

• Seek to dispose of the land edged red on the plan attached at Appendix 1 on the open market – whilst there may be market interest, this option is not considered the most advantageous given the de minimis value such a small parcel of land would likely command because it would not by this route benefit from the access available to anyone other than Boston Tennis Club.