Decision

1. 1

The Centre in the Park (CITP) building in Norfolk Park includes a café that is currently occupied under a Tenancy at Will (TAW) pending the completion of a

lease previously approved by the Charity Trustee (Sub) Committee on 26th January 2023. The operators of the cafe have advised the Council that they wish to dissolve their existing partnership. The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services proposing to safeguard the future of this cafe by agreeing terms with a new operator at the earliest opportunity.

1. 2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Charity Trustee Committee:-

a)    Notes the contents of this report.

b)    Considered whether the proposal within the report and the suggested

recommendations were in the best interest of the Norfolk Heritage Park Charity

c) Authorises the Chief Property Officer to: - 

      i.         engage with the two individuals named under the current tenancy to

establish their individual proposals and determine what represents

the best outcome for the charity. 

     ii.         select an operator and negotiate the best terms on behalf of the

Charity for a tenancy at will and instruct the Head of Legal Services

to complete any required formal documentation.

    iii.         ensure that the terms negotiated meet a minimum requirement of

maintaining quality of service and (or improving on if possible)

established income levels to the Charity.

1. 3

Reasons for Decision

1. 3.1

The proposal safeguards the continued provision of the café facility at Norfolk Park while maintaining an income stream through rent and contributions towards the running costs of the CITP. It supports continuity of service and avoids the risk of vacancy or disruption associated with re tendering, while also enhancing the attractiveness of the park as a community asset. In addition, it ensures that the demised property continues to be occupied in a way that supports the charitable objects of the Charity.

1. 4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

1. 4.1

Do nothing: reason for rejection

Doing nothing is not a realistic option given the partnership situation. Action is required to safeguard the cafe provision and ensure that the quality of the visitor experience is not impacted and the rental income to the Charity is maintained.

1. 4.2

Offer the cafe to the open market

The case against undertaking a further marketing exercise only three years since the last competitive process is based on the café’s strong recent performance and wider community value at Norfolk Park. The café has thrived under its current operators, and re-tendering at this stage would introduce a risk of disruption to established community benefits and undermining the goodwill the business has built.