The Chair reported that several members had indicated that they wished to discuss the content of the exempt appendices. Therefore, on a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Angie Davies, it was –

Resolved – That, under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business on the grounds it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act. The Public Interest test has been applied and favours exclusion.

The Assistant Director of Special Projects introduced the report (of the Director of Finance) which set out the proposed Community Asset Transfer of Woodchurch Leisure Centre to Woodchurch Wellbeing.

Following a debate on the matter, it was –

Resolved (unanimously) – That

(1)  Committee notes and concurs with the key objectives set out in the business plan.

(2)  Committee is minded to support the Community Asset Transfer of Woodchurch Leisure Centre to Woodchurch Wellbeing with capital funding up to a maximum of £330,000 and to that effect will issue a letter of intent accordingly.

(3)  Such a letter is subject to:

a.  Receipt of additional grant funding by Woodchurch Wellbeing to match Council capital contribution of £330k plus 20% revenue costs by Friday 27 October 2023.

b.  Receipt of a revised business plan by Friday 27 October 2023 for consideration by Policy & Resources Committee on 8 November 2023.

The Assistant Director of Special Projects introduced the report of the Director of Finance which set out the proposed transfer of Brackenwood Golf Course to Brackenwood Community Golf Limited based on the Heads of Terms set out in the report. It was reported that the proposal included an improved rental offer and the provision of two mini 5-a-side pitches and four full size playing pitches, as opposed to two full size pitches as detailed in the report.

The Committee discussed the proposal in detail and considered the wider provision of playing pitches within Wirral, urging officers to encourage schools with existing facilities to make them available for community use to contribute to the Local Plan. The Committee further discussed the feasibility of the pitches at Brackenwood and the promotion of biodiversity on the site.

Members around the table placed on record their thanks to the volunteers at Brackenwood Golf Club for their ongoing maintenance of the site, the detailed information shared with members to aide their decision and the polite but determined, tenacity of the volunteers to progress the transfer. On a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Jeff Green, it was –

Resolved (unanimously) – That

(1) the Committee agrees to the transfer of Brackenwood Golf Course to Brackenwood Community Golf Limited (BCGL) on the basis of the Heads of Terms set out in the report, noting the improved rent offer and the required provision of two mini 5-a-side pitches and four full-size playing pitches and also subject to appropriate provision made in the lease to enable appropriate access to be made for archaeological investigation.

 (2) the intent to transfer is advertised as the asset is public open space. If no objections are received, then delegated authority be given to Director of Neighbourhoods in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance to proceed to transfer the identified land. To note that if objections are received then the matter will return to Committee for consideration as set out in paragraph 5.8.

Resolved – That the matter be deferred to a meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee to be arranged as soon as possible after the meeting.

The Assistant Director for Special Projects presented the report of the Director of Resources which updated Members on the community asset transfer (CAT) of Hoylake Municipal Golf Course and made recommendations on community asset transfer (CAT) matters relating to Bromborough Civic Centre, Woodchurch Leisure Centre and Brackenwood Golf Course. It built upon the CAT decisions made by this committee at its meetings of 16 June 2022, 25 October 2022, 2 February 2023 and 9 March 2023.

Members were informed that recommendations within the report enabled the Committee to make decisions on the assets that were in scope for Community Asset Transfer (CAT).  If Committee resolved to transfer Brackenwood Golf Course to Brackenwood Community Golf Limited, and Bromborough Civic Centre to one of the two groups who had submitted business plans, then under the Constitution, this must be a recommendation to the Policy and Resources Committee, for their decision, as the asset values are over £500,000.

The Assistant Director for Special Projects gave a comprehensive overview of each recommendation and Members agreed to consider and discuss the three recommendations separately.

Brackenwood

Members discussed any financial loss in relation to Community benefits and discussed the viability and maintenance of a hybrid approach. Also discussed was the potential pressures on the Oval and were advised that there was a list of potential hub sites for other sports facility locations. Members were advised that several of these locations were subject to a Community Asset Transfer process which was pending decision. Members also discussed the issues surrounding parking provision and environmental impact, including a baseline for bio-diversity.

On a motion by the chair, seconded by Councillor Ruth Molyneux it was,

Resolved- That

(1) the Director of Finance be authorised to conclude negotiations on the heads of terms in exempt Appendix 2, for the transfer of Brackenwood Golf Course to Brackenwood Community Golf Limited, once an increase in the rent proposal from the company is agreed, and some provision for very small football/tennis pitches has been explored. This should form part of the recommendation to Policy and Resources Committee as the Asset value is £950k which is above the value that can be agreed by this Committee or the Director of Resources.

Bromborough Civic Centre

Members discussed the three options and asked for clarity on several of the options. Members then agreed to discuss the exempt items in a closed session and moved the exemption.

It was therefore, resolved - That, under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act. The Public Interest test has been applied and favours exclusion.

Following the resumption of the open session, on a motion moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Jenny Johnson, it was –

Resolved – That

(2) since the committee is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10