Agenda item

The Trustees considered the report presented by the Clerk to the Board of Trustees in relation to the future options for the land owned by the Gilstrap Charity at Cedar Avenue, Newark.  The report set out the background as to the use of the land as a non-designated public open space and the siting of a multi-use games area.  Details of the two unauthorised encampments by travellers and the associated costs to secure their removal were provided and that this had resulted in the decision to sell the land for development.  Following an informal tender process an offer was received from Nottingham Community Housing Association but subsequently withdrawn after they failed to gain planning permission.  Paragraph 4 of the report set out 3 alternative options for the land as: re-advertise the land for disposal on the open market; retain the land as Charity property with its use as amenity field and public open space; and dispose of the land to a public body or other organisation to retain as an amenity field and public open space.  An alternate proposal had been received from the Winthorpe Estate Residents Group which was to develop the site into a ‘Children’s Wood and Wildlife Meadow’. 

A Trustee suggested that consideration of the report be deferred until the previously agreed training had taken place.  He also expressed concern in relation to receiving the proposal from the Winthorpe Residents Group as the members thereof were currently anonymous.  He suggested that the Group should reflect on their anonymity. 

A further Trustee was in agreement with the deferral stating that the terms of the Gilstrap Charity were wide and that the training would provide the Trustees with a better understanding.  He stated that the asset was costing more to maintain than previously.  He noted that the Council were currently undertaking an assessment of the district’s green and open spaces and suggested that any decision on the future use of the land should await the outcome of that, adding that if it was to remain an open space then he would wish to see it sold to an organisation who were able to maintain it accordingly.  He further noted that some of the suggestions of the Winthorpe Residents Group were exciting but that the Trustees could not contemplate entering into an agreement with an anonymous organisation. 

A Trustee queried whether any attempt had been made to identify the members of the Group.  In response the Clerk advised that both herself and the Chief Executive had sent several emails asking for the members to identify themselves so that meaningful conversations could be held but that each time this request had been refused. 

A Trustee stated that she was in agreement with the deferment adding that it was hoped that the Winthorpe Residents Group would declare their identities.  She suggested that work on the Groups proposal be started and stated that she was pleased that the voting Trustees had agreed not to sell the land.  She also requested that clarity be provided at the training session on the role of the non-voting Trustees.  In response, a Trustee clarified that no decision on the future use of the land had yet been taken.

A Trustee advised that all the appointed Trustees had the right to speak but not all could vote.  He stated that it would be inadvisable for work on the Group’s proposal to commence as this could result in monies being wasted and again noted that the Trustees could not contemplate entering into an agreement with an anonymous organisation.  The Clerk to the Board of Trustees added that the alternate proposal was well presented but acknowledged the concerns of the Trustees. 

In noting that a meeting had not been held for 12 months, a Trustee queried why it was now felt that training was necessary.  In response it was stated that delays in holding a meeting had been largely down to the unavailability of a member of the Gilstrap family together with the cancellation of all meetings from March 2020 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. 

AGREED      (unanimously) that consideration of the options detailed in the report for the future use, retention or disposal of the land off Cedar Avenue/Lincoln Road, Newark be deferred pending the Trustees receiving training as referred to in Minute No. 5 above.