Decision

RESOLVED: Cabinet:

a)     Approved the amended VCSE use of property policy as detailed in this report.

b)     Adopted the proposed policy on community gardening on the Council’s land.  

REASONS RESOLVED:

1)     Each of the proposed policies provides a fair and consistent framework for handling the issues in question. It is beneficial to have clear policies so that the Council’s resources are used effectively, and residents and other stakeholders can understand the options open to them.

2)     In the case of the VCSE use of property policy, it was proposed at the time of adoption to learn from experience of using the policy and introduce refinements where these seemed sensible in the light of that experience. The proposals in the report seek to do this.

3)     In the case of the proposed policy on community gardening on the Council’s land, the policy seeks to enable this activity in line with the Parks Development Strategy whilst protecting all relevant interests.

4)     The proposed policies, in line with the Estate Strategy, support effective, efficient, and economical management of the Council’s property.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

•         The Council could, of course, not make the changes proposed and continue with the policy as it is. However, on balance the proposed changes are considered worthwhile.

•         The Council could choose not to adopt the draft community gardening policy, but this would leave it without a framework for enabling community gardening. There seems no obvious benefit in so doing.