To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

None were declared.

No announcements or communication was made.

No petitions were received.

The following statement was received in accordance with the Public Participation Scheme.

1.         Mr Collier

Mr Collier made a statement in relation to building a new football ground stadium off Arlesey Road.

The report proposes that Central Bedfordshire Council releases the covenant restricting use of Roker Park, Stotfold, to enable Stotfold Town Council (STC)  to sell the land and build a new football ground stadium on a new site off Arlesey Road.

RECOMMENDED to Council

1.      that the Restrictive Use Covenant in favour of Central Bedfordshire Council on land known as Roker Park, Stotfold be released to enable Stotfold Town Council to dispose of the land for residential development on condition that:

(a)     the net proceeds of sale (enhanced value) to be shared equally between Central Bedfordshire Council and Stotfold Town Council;

(b)    Stotfold Town Council will repay the outstanding loan of £537,000 owed to Central Bedfordshire Council out of its share of the proceeds of sale; and

(c)     Stotfold Town Council will give an undertaking to use the balance of its share of the proceeds of sale to construct a new football ground/stadium off Arlesey Road, Stotfold.

2.      that Central Bedfordshire Council agrees to make a contribution from its share of the proceeds of sale (up to a maximum of £500,000) to assist the Town Council to complete the construction of the new football ground/stadium on land off Arlesey Road, Stotfold; and

3.      that subject to recommendations 1 and 2 above, Central Bedfordshire Council agrees to grant Stotfold Town Council a 99 year lease at a peppercorn rent of 24 acres of land off Arlesey Road, Stotfold to relocate the new football ground/stadium.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that proposed that Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) released the covenant restricting use of Roker Park, Stotfold, to enable Stotfold Town Council (STC) to sell the land and build a new football ground stadium on a new site off Arlesey Road.

Reason for decision:  To provide a mechanism whereby CBC would receive a share of the capital receipt (proceeds from STC’s sale of the land) for the release of the restrictive covenant together with repayment of two outstanding loans of £537,000 and STC would be able to generate funds to build a new football ground/stadium (with a capped financial contribution from CBC).

RECOMMENDED to Council

1.         that the Restrictive Use Covenant in favour of Central Bedfordshire Council on land known as Roker Park, Stotfold be released to enable Stotfold Town Council to dispose of the land for residential development on condition that:

(a)     the net proceeds of sale (enhanced value) to be shared equally between Central Bedfordshire Council and Stotfold Town Council;

(b)    Stotfold Town Council will repay the outstanding loan of £537,000 owed to Central Bedfordshire Council out of its share of the proceeds of sale; and

(c)     Stotfold Town Council would give an undertaking to use the balance of its share of the proceeds of sale to construct a new football ground/stadium off Arlesey Road, Stotfold.

2.      that Central Bedfordshire Council agrees to make a contribution from its share of the proceeds of sale (up to a maximum of £500,000) to assist the Town Council to complete the construction of the new football ground/stadium on land off Arlesey Road, Stotfold; and

3.      that subject to recommendations 1 and 2 above, Central Bedfordshire Council agrees to grant Stotfold Town Council a 99 year lease at a peppercorn rent of 24 acres of land off Arlesey Road, Stotfold to relocate the new football ground/stadium.

This report contains confidential financial information relating to the report on the Public Agenda under the same title.

See minute no. E/13/75 for details.