Purpose

To agree terms for a short term licence to occupy Rush Green Bowl, Clacton on Sea, pending the completion of an open tender process for the grant of a longer term lease.

Decision

(1)     To approve, in principle, the granting of a short term Licence to Occupy to Clacton Town Football Club Ltd for Rush Green Bowl;

(2)     To note that an open tender process will be undertaken to secure a longer term lease;

(3)     To approve the terms for a short-term licence to Clacton Town Football Club Ltd on the proposed terms and conditions; and

(4)     To authorise the Corporate Director (Planning and Community) to complete the licence on the agreed terms and on such any other terms as he considers appropriate.

Reasons for the decision

To regularise current occupation arrangements and ensure appropriate legal and governance controls.  As well as enabling continued community use of the facility whilst allowing time for a compliant and transparent tender process.

Alternative options considered

Option 1: Require immediate vacant possession of the site - this would disrupt the current community benefit of the site and mean the current football club operating from the site will lose their place in the league, prejudicing their position when it comes to submitting a tender.

Option 2: Immediate grant of a lease – the Council has had numerous expressions of interest, and this would not allow market testing and could expose the Council to challenge.

Option 3: Do nothing – this would leave the current occupation unregulated and present legal and operational risks, and the current third-party occupier has been engaging in a positive manner who are also keen to regularise the occupation.