To consider an amendment to the Corporate Asset Management Plan, as set out in the submitted report.

Members considered the submitted report proposing amendments to the existing Corporate Asset Management Plan 2015-2019 and allow for clear and published processes to exist in relation to the award of grants in lieu of rent as well as the Council’s approach to long leases for sports clubs.

It was proposed by Mayor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Mills:

that the report be deferred.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Thomas (D) and seconded by Councillor Tyerman:

(i)            that, a new Appendix AM-G ~ ‘Procedure for determining applications for grants to offset market rent (grants in lieu of rent)’, as set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be added to the existing Corporate Asset Management Plan 2015 ~ 2019;

(ii)          that, Appendix AM-H ~ ‘Granting of sports leases – An overarching strategy’, as set out in Appendix 3 to the submitted report, be added to the existing Corporate Asset Management Plan 2015 ~ 2019; and

(iii)         that, the existing Corporate Asset Management Plan 2015 ~ 2019 be amended to ensure that any grant from the Council to assist with a tenant’s rent will be time bound and will not extend beyond the next scheduled.

On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared carried.

The substantive motion was then before members for consideration.

An objection was proposed by Councillor Darling (S) and seconded by Councillor Pentney:

            that the Council formally objects to the Amendments to the Corporate Asset Management Plan on the basis that:

i)     all current and future sports leases granted to ‘not for profit organisations’ should have a peppercorn rent up to a maximum of £500 a year.

In accordance with the Constitution at F4.9, the Council therefore requires the Mayor to consider this objection by 12 August 2016 to either:

a)         submit a revision of the Corporate Asset Management Plan with the reasons for any amendments to the Council for its consideration;  or

b)         inform the Council of any disagreement that the Executive has with any of the Council’s objections and the Executive’s reasons for any such disagreement.

A recorded vote was taken on the objection.  The voting was taken by roll call as follows:  For:  Mayor Oliver and Councillors Amil, Brooks, Carter, Darling (M), Darling (S), Doggett, Excell, Haddock, King, Manning, Mills, Morey, Pentney, Stockman, Stocks, Stringer and Stubley (18).  Against:  Councillors Barnby, Bent, Bye, Cunningham, Ellery, Hill, Kingscote, Lewis, O’Dwyer, Robson, Sykes, Thomas (D), Thomas (J), Tolchard and Tyerman (15).  Abstain:  Councillor Parrott (1).  Absent:  Councillors Morris, Sanders and Winfield (3).  Therefore the objection was declared carried and the Chairman advised that the Mayor would consider the objection and publish his response by 12 August 2016 for consideration at the Council meeting on 22 September 2016.

(Note:  During consideration of this item the following non-pecuniary interests were declared:

Councillor Darling (S)         member of Babbacombe Corinthians Sailing Club and Paignton Canoe Club

Councillor Excell                 member of Torre Table Tennis Club

Councillor Morey                 member of Brixham Rugby Club and Brixham Cricket Club

Councillor O’Dwyer             member of Torquay Golf Club and season ticket holder at Torquay United AFC

Councillor Stockman          member of Brixham Cricket Club).