Agenda item

To submit a report by the Interim Head of Regulation and Economic Development.

The report of the Interim Head of Regulation and Economic Development incorporating the consultation report on the proposed disposal of Llangefni Golf Course was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

Councillor Carwyn Jones, Portfolio Member for Major Projects and Economic Development outlined the context to the proposed disposal of the Llangefni Golf course and referred to the consultation held thereon which follows the Executive’s decision in May 2018 to support in principle the intention to dispose of the Golf course land and Ffridd household and reinvest the proceeds to improve Plas Arthur Leisure Centre. An open tender process to manage and operate the driving range facility was undertaken with Golf Môn securing the tenancy agreement with the Council. The driving range which reopened in January 2019 has proved very popular and successful and this will remain open. As it involves a playing field, the public consultation on the future of the golf course had to be carried out under a process prescribed by the Playing Fields (Community Involvement in Disposal Decisions) (Wales) Regulations 2015 and thanks are due to the Officers for all their work in connection with managing the process.

The Interim Head of Service (Regulation and Economic Development) advised that following the Executive’s decision in 2018 to endorse in principle the disposal of the Golf course, the Service has been considering options for its future. Participation figures had reduced and the running costs had become unsustainable for the Service. In conducting the consultation the Council has adhered to the requirements of Playing Fields (Community Involvement in Disposal Decision) (Wales) Regulations 2015 and is confident that the process followed is sound and that the options are realistic and achievable. The Officer said that the work has involved a number of officers from other services whose input to making the process as transparent and open as possible he appreciated and was grateful for. Referring to the Plas Arthur Leisure Centre, the Interim Head of Service said that the Service has identified an outline programme of investment which it would like to see implemented for the health and well-being of the local community and that any delay in proceeding is a risk.

The Economic Development Manager said that undertaking the public consultation under the Playing Fields Regulations 2015 was a new experience and a challenge. An earlier formal consultation on the proposed disposal of the Llangefni Golf Course went live on 9 March, 2020 and was intended to run until 26 April, 2020 had not the pandemic intervened. To prepare for the public consultation, external solicitors were commissioned to provide advice, guidance and assistance to ensure full compliance with the Regulations and they have raised no issues which provides assurance regarding the robustness of the process. The decision to be made is whether or not to dispose of the Golf Course taking into consideration the range of impact assessments that it has been necessary to carry out under the Regulations which are presented as supporting documents.

Councillor Aled Morris Jones, Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee reported that there was consensus at the Committee’s 8 March, 2021 meeting to which the matter was presented that having considered the circumstances and relevant factors, disposing of the Golf course was the most appropriate option with the focus of the discussion then being on how that could be done to secure the best possible price. The Scrutiny Committee came to the view that the Ffridd House could be sold immediately and the proceeds of sale used to improve Plas Arthur Leisure Centre but that the value of the Golf Course land would be much enhanced were it to be incorporated into the Joint Local Development Plan (JLDP) as development land when the Plan is next reviewed, hence the recommendation that the sale be delayed to allow options for doing so to be considered.

Councillor Carwyn Jones, Portfolio Member for Major Projects and Economic Development responded by saying that following the Scrutiny Committee’s meeting he had consulted with the Joint Planning Policy Unit and the Chief Planning Officer about the feasibility of incorporating the Golf Course land in the JLDP and was able to report that the process would involve submitting robust evidence to show why development is needed in the area as well as demonstrating why the site is suitable for development in terms of amenities, traffic and infrastructure. Added to that the landowner would have to offer the site as a candidate site. The process can be lengthy with no certainty of success particularly as the Golf course land is located in the countryside and is not adjacent to the development boundary. Taking the route of the JLDP would also render the public consultation null and void as the purpose of the disposal is different to that on which the consultation was held meaning the consultation would have to be re-run. Whilst Scrutiny’s aim of obtaining best value for the asset is acknowledged there are other ways in which this can be achieved and alternative options could be explored with the professional input of Officers from the Property Service. Although recognising the need to secure the best possible price for the land, seeking its inclusion in the JLDP could mean its value may not be realised for several years whereas proceeding with the sale means that the proceeds can be invested in Plas Arthur Leisure Centre for immediate benefit for the health and well-being of the community of Llangefni. Taking all things into consideration, the Portfolio Member proposed an amended wording for recommendation 1 of the report to the effect that the sale of the Ffridd household and Golf Course land should proceed in consultation with the Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Property and the Portfolio Member for Major Projects and Economic Development and that the site be marketed to obtain the maximum possible income on the open market for sale.

Councillor R.G. Parry OBE, FRAgS, Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Property agreed that there is a pressing need to invest in the Plas Arthur Leisure Centre which the sale of the Golf Course would make possible. Any type of development on the land could be problematic for the community and letting the land for grazing would also entail costs to the Council.

Councillor Robin Williams referred to the discussion in Scrutiny about imposing conditions on the sale of the land to ensure that the Council is able to benefit from any future profits made on it as a result of development for example and he sought clarity on the feasibility of such an arrangement.

The Principal Valuation Officer advised that it would be possible to put an overage clause on the sale of the Golf Course  land with the only proviso being that any such barrier placed on the sale of land can potentially affect the income received for it on the first day. The advantages, disadvantages and effect of entering into an overage agreement would be the subject of discussion and professional advice with the agent during the sale process.

It was resolved –

•           To proceed with the sale of the Ffridd household with some land and the remaining 42 acres in consultation with the Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Property and the Portfolio Member  for Major Projects and Economic Development and to market the site to obtain the maximum possible income on the open market for sale.

•           To undertake a minimum of 6 weeks notification in the local press of a Decision Notice indicating the Council’s decision to dispose, and

•           To reinvest any capital receipts received from the disposal of the site into the Plas Arthur leisure facility.