Content

9.1

The committee considered a report of the Executive
Director of City Futures seeking approval for the sale of
land off Twentywell Lane to the north
side of Poynton Woods, Sheffield S17 in its capacity as a Charity
Trustee of the JG Graves Charitable Trust (“the
Charity”).

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:
That the Charity Trustees Sub-Committee:-

1.   
Approves the freehold sale of the Trust Land based
on the terms of this report.

2.   
On consideration of the Qualified Surveyor’s
Report, to confirm that the Trustees are satisfied that the
proposed terms are the best that can be reasonably obtained in the
circumstances.

 

 

9.3

Reasons for Decision

 

·      
The increased line capacity will improve journey times,
connectivity, and the

reliability of the railway network along the Hope Valley and
Midlands Main

Lines. This will encourage more rail journeys supporting economic
growth and the drive towards net zero carbon emissions.
·      
The sale will help deliver improvements to the Dore and Totley
Station

enhancing the existing rail transport infrastructure and
accessibility.

The sale will provide a financial contribution to facilitate
improvements to

Poynton Woods identified by Council Officers within the Parks
and

Countryside Department.
·      
The sale will generate a capital receipt which will be retained by
the Charity

and invested or used for the purposes of the objects of the
Charity. The terms of sale will ensure the PRoW is retained and the City Council reserve
rights of access over the Trust Land.
·      
The sale will remove the liability from the Charity to maintain and
insure the
Trust
Land and to keep it in repair which will reduce the Charity’s
expenses on these overheads.
·      
Network Rail are a statutory authority with powers to compulsory
purchase the Trust Land if required. If sale terms cannot be
reached and Network Rail chose to implement those powers, then the
matter could go to Lands Tribunal for determination. The Charity
could then incur costs and the Trust Land sold on less favourable
terms than those recommended

 

 

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

·      
Should the recommendations of this report not be supported and if
Network Rail were unable to purchase the Trust Land by agreement,
then as a statutory authority Network Rail could resort to using
compulsory purchase powers to secure the purchase of the Trust
Land.

·      
It is considered that there are no other realistic options here
given that Network Rail can compulsory
purchase the Trust Land. This would mean that they are not
obligated to make the financial contributions agreed by agreement
in 1.11 or allow the City Council to reserve rights of access as
highlighted in 1.12.