6 TRANSFER OF LEASE AND MANAGEMENT OF COED HELEN - CAERNARFON PDF 221 KB
Cyflwynwyd gan: Cyng / Cllr. Gareth Thomas
Additional documents:
Decision:
Lease and
transfer of the management of Coed Helen Park, Caernarfon to Caernarfon Town
Council.
Minutes:
The report was
submitted by Cllr Gareth Thomas
DECISION
Lease and transfer of
the management of Coed Helen Park, Caernarfon to
Caernarfon Town Council.
DISCUSSION
The report was submitted, and the decision noted.
It was noted that, in December 2014, the Council had approved a savings
programme of over £1million for the Leisure department. It was added that the
department had managed to realise these savings, and as part of the savings,
the Byw'n Iach Ltd. company had been established to
take responsibility for the leisure service.
It was noted that the company ran 12 of the
Council's Leisure Centres as well as five community resources. Parc Coed Helen was one of those
community resources, which was used by local clubs within the communities. It
was added that the resources had been transferred to the Company temporarily
and it had been highlighted at the time that this arrangement was not the most
effective for the sites. It was stated that the Economy and Community
Department had been holding discussions with several groups and entities in the
communities to see whether there would be any interest in having more effective
arrangements to manage the resources. It was added that positive arrangements
had been held with Caernarfon Town Council and it was noted that the Town
Council had decided to take the transfer of the Park on a 99 year lease. It was
stressed that the Town Council was happy to maintain the existing services,
while also seeking opportunities to improve the facilities for the future.
Observations arising from the discussion
¾ It
was noted that as this land was public open land, notification of this
intention was a legal requirement. It was stressed that this had been
undertaken and no objections had been received.
¾ It was noted that one
of the Local Members had objected and it was asked what concerns had been
highlighted by him. It was noted that he had raised several matters such as
arrangements for the Caretaker, parking matters as well as the Capacity of the
Town Council. It was stated that the Council had explained the situation but
that the Local Member continued to object to the transfer.
¾ It was noted that the
park was close to the hearts of many people and that securing its future was
completely necessary. It was noted that the Town Council was possibly a better
body to manage the resource. Concerns about the caretaker were acknowledged.
¾ It was expressed that
there was a need to look at transferring all the community resources, as it
would be possible for them to receive more investment through bodies such as
Town Councils.
Awdur: Sioned Williams