Agenda item

(To receive a report by Chris Miller (Team Leader for Countryside Services), which invites the Committee to consider individual recommendations for the various types of property in the Environmental Services portfolio)

A report by Chris Miller (Team Leader for Countryside Services) was considered, which focused on the Environmental Services Property Portfolio, which included information and recommendations on four main areas: closed landfill sites; picnic and transit sites; coastal access sites; and environmental sites.

The Team Leader for Countryside Services outlined the main elements of the report and the rationale for the recommendations for closed landfill sites; picnic and transit sites; coastal access sites; and environmental sites, as detailed in the report.  The following points were noted: -

Closed landfill sites

A discussion took place regarding Cow Bank, Skegness, where it was advised that the site was leased to Seagull Recycling as an environmental training centre.  The roadway access to the site was not highway maintainable at public expense.  The roadway was becoming more hazardous and might require investment in the near future.  The cost of maintaining the roadway access would sit with the County Council, as the landowner.

The Committee supported the recommendations relating to closed landfill sites, as detailed on page 46 of the agenda pack.

Picnic and Transit Sites

It was advised that the Leverton Transit Site had been leased to Boston Borough Council (BBC) at no cost in 2017 and BBC now maintained these facilities. 

Further to this, a Councillor queried whether the allocated budget for Leverton of £14,671, as detailed on Appendix B to the report, could be transferred to BBC to cover the cost of maintaining the facilities.  In response, the Committee was advised the allocated monies had transferred from the highways department into Countryside Services prior to the lease being transferred over to BBC.  This would be removed from future budgets.  The duration of the lease would be confirmed with the Committee via email.

NOTE: At this stage in the proceedings, Councillor Mrs A M Austin declared an interest as a Member of Boston Borough Council.

In response to a question on Willingham Woods, it was confirmed that the County Council as the owner of the site, was responsible for the infrastructure and maintenance of the building, including the emptying of the septic tank.  However, the lease holder monitored the toilet block; paid the business rates and dealt with waste collection.  

The Committee supported the recommendations relating to picnic and transit sites, as detailed on pages 47 – 48 of the agenda pack.  With reference to recommendation 2.5.4 (regarding the facilities at Stickney), it was requested that to consider the viability and feasibility to redevelop the site as a caravan/camping site.

Coastal access sites

The Committee was advised that some of the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park access sites had suffered from known anti-social behaviour and the Huttoft Car Terrace also had issues of overnight stays and the hogging of the available area by inappropriate parking by larger motor home owners. 

Various management operations had been implemented with a lack of genuine success. For example, height restricting barriers had been installed which were almost immediately vandalised and removed posing a significant drain on resources and bylaws for the various sites.  Ways in which this issue could be addressed was currently being explored.  The loss of income for local caravan / camp sites, as a result of the Huttoft Car Terrace being used as free parking, was also highlighted as a concern.

The Committee supported the recommendations relating to coastal access sites, as detailed on pages 49 – 50 of the agenda pack.

Environmental sites

The Committee supported the recommendations relating to environmental sites, as detailed on page 51 of the agenda pack.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the priorities for future development or, alternatively, withdrawal of services, as detailed in the report be supported.

(2)  That the comments of the Committee be submitted to the relevant Executive Councillor.