Agenda item

B Report of Interim Director – Regeneration, Enterprise and Planning (Copy herewith)

2.1  Cabinet approved this Council entering into a Collaboration Agreement (CA) with the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA), to promote the comprehensive development of land forming:

                           I.      part of the Sixfields Stadium complex (shown edged red upon the attached plan at Appendix 1 of the report) and

                         II.      larger adjacent landholdings in the freehold ownership of HCA (shown indicatively edged blue upon the attached plan at Appendix 1 of the report), on terms to be approved by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration Enterprise and Planning.

2.2   Cabinet approved, in pursuance of 2.1, the acceptance of a surrender of part of the property presently let to Northampton Town Football Club Limited (NTFC) and   the disposal of the Council’s freehold interest in the land or the grant of a new long lease of the land edged red upon the plan at Appendix 1 for development.  There would be consequent sharing of value between NBC and NTFC of receipts received under the proposed CA in respect of the land edged red, on a basis that appropriately reflects the respective legal interests of the parties.

2.3   Cabinet recognised the importance of high quality athletics facilities in Northampton and supported the principle that as a pre-condition of any development of the land edged red upon the attached plan at Appendix 1 of the report, alternative athletics facilities to meet United Kingdom Athletics Class A certification (“suitable for all competition”) standard must first be provided within Northampton at no direct cost to this Council, on a basis that generally protects the existing contractual rights enjoyed by Rugby & Northampton Athletics Club in respect of the existing facilities.

2.4   Cabinet approved the principle that under the terms of a Collaboration Agreement as set out at 2.1, provision is made for 25% of the total net value arising from the combined land sale (prior to any distribution of any apportioned receipts between HCA and this Council) to be specifically allocated to support the provision of additional community facilities. Such allocation to be distributed by this Council according to criteria that shall take into account

(i)             the promotion of health, leisure and well being amongst the wider community of Northampton through the provision of new or additional facilities predominantly situated within the vicinity of Sixfields

(ii)             that such new or additional facilities shall be widely available to the public at reasonable cost and

(iii)           that statutory obligations avoiding ‘state aid’ shall be fully observed.

Councillor Wire commented that the Labour Group supported the proposals. It would be a positive step to see an improvement of that area and he hoped that the redevelopment would provide an opportunity for some much needed road improvements. He particularly welcomed the inclusion of a hotel site.

Councillor Beardsworth also welcomed the proposals. Her one reservation was the retail element as she felt that she would not like out of town retail developments to impact on the delivery of town centre improvements, or to have any negative impact on the negotiations with Legal and General.

The Chair also welcomed the proposals as being a positive step for the town.

Councillor Hadland, as the relevant Portfolio Holder, submitted a report. He emphasised that the recommendation of the Athletics Club was a priority, and that all of the proposals were designed with the aim of securing the future of the area.

Councillor Eldred expressed his thanks to the Chair and Councillor Hadland for achieving such a positive result in the negotiations.

The Chair stated that he wished to place on record his thanks to the Homes and Communities Agency who had been very impressed when they had visited the town on 24th May 2012.

RESOLVED

1          That Cabinet approved this Council entering into a Collaboration Agreement (CA) with the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA), to promote the comprehensive development of land forming:

                           I.      part of the Sixfields Stadium complex (shown edged red upon the attached plan at Appendix 1 of the report) and

                         II.      larger adjacent landholdings in the freehold ownership of HCA (shown indicatively edged blue upon the attached plan at Appendix 1 of the report), on terms to be approved by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration Enterprise and Planning.

2   Cabinet approved, in pursuance of 2.1, the acceptance of a surrender of part of the property presently let to Northampton Town Football Club Limited (NTFC) and   the disposal of the Council’s freehold interest in the land or the grant of a new long lease of the land edged red upon the plan at Appendix 1 for development.  There would be consequent sharing of value between NBC and NTFC of receipts received under the proposed CA in respect of the land edged red, on a basis that appropriately reflects the respective legal interests of the parties.

3   Cabinet recognised the importance of high quality athletics facilities in Northampton and supported the principle that as a pre-condition of any development of the land edged red upon the attached plan at Appendix 1 of the report, alternative athletics facilities to meet United Kingdom Athletics Class A certification (“suitable for all competition”) standard must first be provided within Northampton at no direct cost to this Council, on a basis that generally protects the existing contractual rights enjoyed by Rugby & Northampton Athletics Club in respect of the existing facilities.

4   Cabinet approved the principle that under the terms of a Collaboration Agreement as set out at 2.1, provision is made for 25% of the total net value arising from the combined land sale (prior to any distribution of any apportioned receipts between HCA and this Council) to be specifically allocated to support the provision of additional community facilities. Such allocation to be distributed by this Council according to criteria that shall take into account

(i)             the promotion of health, leisure and well being amongst the wider community of Northampton through the provision of new or additional facilities predominantly situated within the vicinity of Sixfields

(ii)             that such new or additional facilities shall be widely available to the public at reasonable cost and

(iii)           that statutory obligations avoiding ‘state aid’ shall be fully observed.