Agenda item

Report of the Director of Finance and Support

1.      That Cabinet agree in principle the proposed grant of a lease of the Stable Block at Delapre Abbey, at a concessionary rent, to FoDA provided that certain conditions are met and continue to be complied with by FoDA.

2.      That Cabinet delegates to the Borough Solicitor in consultation with the Chief Executive and the Director of Finance & Support judgement of whether the conditions set out by the Council have been satisfied.

Adrian Thacker addressed Cabinet on behalf of Friends of Delapre Abbey (FoDA) and as a Trustee.  He outlined FoDA’s involvement with the lease arrangement and referred to internal governance problems that had led to the intervention of Councillors Perkins and Palethorpe as mediators within the organisation. Now that most of the issues had been resolved, he was keen to finalise FoDA’s constitution and resume negotiations for the lease.  He thanked Graham Walker and his supporters through this time.

As Chair of Far Cotton Residents’ Association and a member of FoDA, Michael Ford addressed Cabinet.  Although he was still concerned about the governance and constitution of FoDA, he accepted that mediation had been successful and the charity was now moving in the right direction.  He called for the reinstatement of the catering manager for the tearooms and also for separate bank accounts to be set up for events and catering purposes.  He was now keen to move forward.

Councillor Hawkins addressed Cabinet and described her involvement with the Delapre Abbey Conservation Trust. She expressed frustration over the delays in moving forward with the options appraisals and asked for dates when these reports would come before Cabinet so that the restoration of the Abbey could progress.

Councillor Mildren addressed Cabinet and referred to the side letter attached to the cabinet report.  This set out a number of conditions including the use of profits for the enhancement of Delapre Abbey.  He pointed out pitfalls in the proposal and suggested that someone from the council would have to examine, agree and monitor the business plan.

Councillor Clarke addressed Cabinet, expressing hope that things were now moving forward.  He commented on the continued unrest between the Trustees and FoDA and thanked Councillors Perkins and Palethorpe for their mediation work. It was unfortunate that the issue had become so protracted and now appealed to councillors to stand back and let officers work with FoDA to enhance and protect the Abbey for the future.  He was of the view that the proposed rent was too high for a charitable organisation.

Councillor Palethorpe addressed Cabinet pointing out that in this type of organisation, there were always governance difficulties. There had been a lot of rumour but it was now clear that people wanted some aims and objectives to ensure continuation and preservation of the Abbey.  He was confident that the groups could settle their differences at a forthcoming Special General Meeting.  He was of the opinion that progress should now be left with the Portfolio Holder and was happy that the objectives and responsibilities were now more clear.  He urged Cabinet to accept the recommendations.

Councillor B Hoare welcomed the cross party working to achieve the current position.

Councillor PM Varnsverry addressed Cabinet.  She was happy to support the tearooms and the subsidised lease arrangements and felt that the Abbey should not be commercialised by the operation of a tearoom. She called for the support of the Council for community events at the Abbey.  Consideration should also be given to the effect of commercial activities on other local businesses and on the wear and tear on the grounds themselves.  She warned that no long-term lease should be entered into until the options appraisal had been fully discussed.

Councillor Glynane addressed Cabinet as Ward Councillor for Delapre.  He thanked Councillors Palethorpe and Perkins for their involvement in getting agreement between the parties.  He reminded Cabinet that the Abbey was for the pleasure of the whole town and not just FoDA.  He looked forward to FoDA being able to work under a new constitution but felt that Ward Councillors should maintain their involvement to ensure the constitution was followed.

As the relevant Portfolio Holder, Councillor Perkins presented the report to Cabinet. He explained that the purpose of the report was not to grant the lease but to agree to a concessionary rent and it was the remit of officers and FoDA representatives to conclude negotiations on the lease. Referring to the governance difficulties within FoDA, he stressed the importance of the council and public having confidence in the organisation’s ability to move forward.  There would have to be some commercial activities in order to raise sufficient funds for the future restoration of the Abbey. One of the conditions in the side letter was that oversight was retained but it was anticipated that the committee would be able to demonstrate that they could operate effectively with the preservation of the Abbey as their main objective.  He also thanked Councillor Palethorpe for the cross-party co-operation in achieving mediation between the parties. It was now vital that FoDA instigated the proper controls and there was still a lot of work to be done. It was time for everyone to put the past personal difficulties aside and move forward to bring the full potential of the Abbey for the people of Northampton.

In response to a request from Councillor Crake regarding the availability of the draft constitution for FoDA members prior to their SGM, Councillor Perkins confirmed that members would be presented with the document in good time for consultation with a view to the incorporation of the organisation at their June meeting.  He called for Trustees to ensure that all members were aware of these events.

Councillor Church welcomed the progress that had been reported and hoped that it would build people’s confidence to the extent that funding could be secured to deliver the project for Delapre Abbey.

Councillor B Hoare reminded Cabinet that approval was needed to let out an asset at less than its market value and that the benefit had to be more than the rental discount.  He was happy that the side letter set out conditions to achieve a common goal.

RESOLVED

1.      That Cabinet agree in principle the proposed grant of a lease of the Stable Block at Delapre Abbey, at a concessionary rent, to FoDA provided that certain conditions are met and continue to be complied with by FoDA.

2.      That Cabinet delegates to the Borough Solicitor in consultation with the Chief Executive and the Director of Finance & Support judgement of whether the conditions set out by the Council have been satisfied.