Hampshire County Council Amended Decision Sheet

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item 13

11 November 2004

Newtown Common, Near Burghclere - Submission of Offer to Purchase

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

The following decisions are sought:

That:

(i) endorsement be given to the arrangements which were put in place to enable a bid to be submitted for the 139 acres of common land at Newtown, Near Burghclere in association with the Newtown Parish Council and Newtown Common Residents` Association and

(ii) the County Council continues to assist Newtown Parish Council with the management of the Common through the Heathlands project and considers how the statutory protections of the Common can be improved.

(iii) further negotiations for the purchase of the Common be approved and that the Director of Property, Business & Regulatory Services (Head of Estates Practice) be authorised to settle terms and complete the purchase of 139 acres of Newtown Common by the County Council with a contribution of £210,000 (plus fees and stamp duty payable on the full purchase price) with the remainder of the purchase price to consist of financial contributions from the Newtown Common Residents` Association and others.

2

Reason(s)

2.1

To endorse the actions taken in response to the request of Newtown Parish Council and Newtown Common Residents` Association to put together a bid for the freehold acquisition of 139 acres of common land at Newtown, Near Burghclere and to support the future management of the Common.

2.2

This decision supports the following Aims of the Corporate Strategy:

Aim 2 - Stewardship of the environment by protecting and enhancing the habitat of the wide range of flora and fauna of the Common

Aim 5 - Improving services by ensuring that the residents of Newtown and visitors continue to be able to benefit from access to the Common.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

None.

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1

None

5

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1

None

6

Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1

Not applicable

Approved by:

..........................

Date of decision:

.........................

Councillor T K Thornber