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Agenda and minutes
Venue: Council Chamber, Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings, TN34 3UY. Please enter the building via the Tourist Information Centre entrance.
Contact: Emily Horne on 01424 451719 email ehorne@hastings.gov.uk
Items No. Item Minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2017 PDF 85 KB
Minutes:
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Charity Committee meeting held on 20 March 2017 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of the meeting
Notification of any additional urgent items
Minutes:
The Assistant Director, Regeneration and Culture, notified the committee of an additional urgent item in respect of the installation of new beach huts on Foreshore Trust land, as set out in minute number 94.
Additional documents:
- Appendix A Documentation of planning permission , item 89. PDF 312 KB
- Appendix B Licence for sculpture on FT land , item 89. PDF 654 KB
- Appendix C Maintenance schedule , item 89. PDF 99 KB
- Appendix D Structural Engineer report , item 89. PDF 337 KB
- Appendix E Design and Access Statement , item 89. PDF 290 KB
Minutes:
The Assistant Director, Regeneration and Culture, presented a report which recommended that the Foreshore Trust accepted ownership of a sculpture, The Landing, which was sited on the beach.
The Landing sculpture, by local artist Leigh Dyer, had been commissioned by Hastings Borough Council as part of the Root 1066 Festival, to mark the 950th Anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. In addition to the sculpture, the installation includes a time capsule, which will be opened in 2066. The sculpture has been very well received by the public and has already become a local landmark. The recommendations of the report had been supported at a recent meeting of the Coastal Users Group. However, the meeting had not been quorate and this view may not necessarily be shared by whole group.
The artist of a piece of art installed in the public realm usually retains ownership of the piece for a 12 month setting period, enabling them to carry out any maintenance works that may be required. No maintenance works have been necessary during the last 12 months and an independent structural engineer has confirmed the sculpture remains securely fixed in situ. The sculpture is sited on land owned by the Foreshore Trust and it is proposed that ownership is now transferred to the Trust permanently.
The Assistant Director, Financial Services and Revenues, recommended that the Trust insure the sculpture against damage, fire and theft, for at least a 1 year period as works to improve the sea defences will be taking place on the beach. This proposal was supported by members of the committee.
Councillor Forward proposed approval of the amended recommendations to the report, as set out in the resolution below, which was seconded by Councillor Poole.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that:
1. The Charity Committee agrees that the Foreshore Trust will accept ownership of the Landing sculpture from 14 September 2017, and;
2. The Trust insures the sculpture against damage, fire and theft, for at least a one year period, while works to the sea defences on the beach are carried out
The reason for this decision was:
The sculpture is located on Foreshore Trust land and was commissioned by Hastings Borough Council to mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. It is normal practice for the ownership of public art to pass to the commissioner or landowner.
Seafront Splash Pad Water Play and Kiosk PDF 109 KB
Minutes:
The Assistant Director, Regeneration and Culture, presented a report which updated the committee on further investigations into the proposed seafront water play and kiosk project and on the outcome of the grant application to the fourth round of the Coastal Communities Fund (CCF4).
At its meeting in December 2016, the Charity Committee had given in-principle agreement to procure a seafront splash pad facility with associated seating and kiosk at Pelham Place. However, further site investigations have revealed the presence of a mains sewer directly beneath the site. As a result, the costs of the project were likely to exceed the budget allocated by the committee. It was therefore recommended to cease further work in relation to installing a water play feature at Pelham Place. Consideration has been given to potential alternative locations, but no other suitable sites have yet been identified.
Funding had been secured from CCF4 to support the further improvement of the promenade in the White Rock area and to promote the increased use and enjoyment of the seafront. Funding of £145,000, including a grant of £95,000 from CCF4, had been allocated for the refurbishment of a redundant fountain and adjacent public space. However, because the fountain had been disused for a considerable time, it was necessary to carry out a structural survey of the site, before design options were commissioned. The survey would cost an additional £35,000, making a total budget of £180,000. A potential water play facility would also be considered, and costed, as part of the site investigations and tendering process.
Attendees at the recent Coastal Users Group meeting, which was not quorate. The group had suggested that the Stade open space be considered as potential location for a splash pad, when any resurfacing is carried out in the future. They also recommended including a garden area within the scheme for the White Rock area.
Councillor Poole proposed approval of the recommendations to the Assistant Director, Regeneration and Culture’s report, which was seconded by Councillor Forward.
RESOLVED (unanimously) to:
1. Cease further work in relation to the development of a water play feature at Pelham Place,
2. To note the successful outcome of the CCF4 bid, and;
3. Approve a budget of £180,000 for the refurbishment of the redundant fountain and adjacent public space at White Rock. £95,000 of this budget is the CCF 4 grant award, and the balance is to come from the Foreshore Trust’s reserves and existing budget, as set out in the report.
4. Delegate authority to the Director of Operational Services or his nominee in consultation with the Chair of the Charity Committee to undertake appropriate surveys, secure planning permission and subject to the outcome of the surveys, commission contractors to design and complete works, within the approved budget, that will re-animate, this area by the installation of a new water feature and associated physical improvements.
The reason for this decision was:
1. There are significant technical, and potentially costly, issues in relation to the installation of a splash pad ... view the full minutes text for item 90.
Foreshore Trust Business Plan 2017-2022 PDF 106 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Assistant Director, Regeneration and Culture, presented a report which included a draft five year business plan for the period 2017/18 and 2021/22. The report also provided an update on a number of key achievements throughout 2016/17, including bringing the White Rock Baths back into use as a skate park and upgrades to facilities in the Trust’s car parks, The Stade and on the promenade and beach.
The draft business plan was based upon current knowledge of the maintenance, income, required capital works and proposals for new activities. The plan will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis. Key projects included reviewing the operational arrangements for the The Stade open space and the Stade Hall, improvements to the promenade at White Rock and maintaining and improving leisure facilities, including implementing the recommendations of the access audit for Hastings seafront. The draft business plan included a spending plan; an additional sum of £710,000 was required to meet the expenditure plans in the period 2017/18 to 2021/22.
The committee welcomed the draft business plan. Members were keen that implementing the recommendations of the recent access audit of Hastings seafront should be considered as a priority.
Councillor Forward proposed approval of the Assistant Director, Regeneration and Culture’s report, which was seconded by Councillor Poole.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that:
1. The Business Plan, as appended to the Assistant Director, Regeneration and Culture’s report be approved, and;
2. The committee delegate authority for any minor modifications to the Assistant Director, Regeneration and Culture, in consultation with the Chair of the Charity Committee
The reason for this decision was:
The Charity Committee requires a business plan to support its decision-making on the use of Trust assets and surpluses.
Additional documents:
- Appendix 1 - Financial Monitoring Report , item 92. PDF 6 KB
- Appendix 2 - Business Plan - Financial Summary , item 92. PDF 8 KB
- Appendicies 3-4 and 5 , item 92. PDF 77 KB
Minutes:
The Assistant Director, Financial Services and Revenues, presented a report to advise the committee on the draft financial position for 2016/17. The report updated the committee on the current year’s financial position and provided an opportunity to review the Trust’s business plan, risk register and reserves policy.
Members were advised that the draft accounts for 2016/17 indicated an operating surplus of £394,000. This estimate exceeded the projected surplus in the original budget, due mainly to a capital receipt in respect of the disposal of a parcel of land and an increase in parking income.
Income and expenditure projections for 2017/18 were currently in line with the budget. However, the estimated surplus for this year was expected to be higher than planned, due to a decrease in the anticipated loan repayments.
Consideration was given as to how the Trust could continue to forecast significant areas of expenditure, beyond the span of the current 5 year business plan.
Councillor Poole proposed approval of the recommendations to the Assistant Director, Financial Services and Revenues report, which was seconded by Councillor Forward.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
1. To agree the current financial positions for 2016/17 and 2017/18
2. To agree the Risk Register (appendix 4 to the report)
3. To agree the Reserves Policy (appendix 5 to the report)
The reason for this decision was:
The council has the responsibility for the proper management of the financial affairs of the Trust. In doing so it complies with the Accounting Codes of Practice and the high standards required for the accounting of public money.
The reserves policy is reviewed on an annual basis and is undertaken against the uncertainties that are identified within the risk register and the general economic environment.
Minutes of the Coastal Users Group held on 13 June 2017 PDF 79 KB
Minutes:
The minutes of the Coastal Users Group meeting held on 13 June 2017 were submitted. It was noted that this meeting was not quorate.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Coastal Users Group meeting held on 13 June 2017 be noted
Additional urgent items - Beach Huts
Minutes:
The Assistant Director, Regeneration and Culture, advised the committee of a decision that was taken under rule 13 of the urgency provisions for the Foreshore Trust.
At its meeting in December 2016, the Charity Committee had given agreement for the installation of 12 new beach huts on Foreshore Trust land. The cost of the project had been estimated at £14,000. Following a procurement exercise, the actual cost was £22,374 plus VAT. However, the project was still considered to provide a worthwhile investment for the Trust.
The decision had been taken under urgency provisions to avoid any unnecessary delay to project and prevent potential loss of income during the summer period.
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