Purpose

For Cabinet to review officer recommendations on external bids for funding from the Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (Cotswold Beechwoods SAC) funds held by the Council.

Decision

The purpose of this item was to ask Cabinet to consider officer recommendations on external bids for funding from the Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (Cotswold Beechwoods SAC) funds held by the Council.

Councillor Juliet Layton, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning introduced the report  and asked that Cabinet consider the recommendation to award £20,000 from the Cotswold Beechwoods SAC Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) Fund to the National Trust for accessibility improvements at Sherborne Park, as part of the Sherborne Big Nature Better Access project.

The project for which funding was sought was the upgrade of a 425-metre section of path to provide a fully accessible permanent gravel route, improving access for visitors and providing an attractive alternative recreational destination to the Cotswold Beechwoods SAC.

Cabinet noted that the National Trust was the sole bidder and that the proposal had been assessed against the published scoring matrix, achieving 86/100, above the minimum threshold of 75/100. Sufficient funds are available. 

The Leader clarified that they were a former employee of the National Trust, having left the organisation more than four years ago. They confirmed that they no longer had any employment relationship with the National Trust and that their pension was a personally funded pension, to which the National Trust no longer contributed. No interest was declared.

The recommendation was proposed by Councillor Juliet Layton, seconded by Councillor Tony Dale and put to the vote.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

1. Agree to fund the following bid:  Sherborne Big Nature, Better Access (National Trust)

Voting record:

7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.