Decision details

          (Councillor Gunner declared a personal interest as a member is a lessee of one of the contracts for this item, they are in the same political party and Councillor Gunner is the leader of this party. Councillors Bower, Cooper, Edwards, Roberts and Seex all declared a personal interest as they know the lessee of one of the cafes for this item. Councillor Dixon declared a personal interest as a member of the Bognor Regis Civic Society)

The Property, Estates and Facilities Manager provided the Committee with an overview of the report before them and reminded them that the report set out the commercial marketing strategy for various catering business opportunities across the Council’s parks with a specific focus on service improvement, long term financial viability and the securing of increased revenue for the Council.

In turning to the debate, the following points were raised;

§  Broad consensus of support for the recommendations before the Committee

§  Was there the footfall for the Marine Park Gardens Café’s and the need for public toilet amenities in the area was also raised

§  It was requested that the diversity of business offerings be considered by officers to maximise the variety of offerings available across the district

§  Concern for the turnaround timeframe of the process was also highlighted

The Property, Estates and Facilities Manager provide answers to all points and questions raised.

          The Committee

                     RESOLVED that

1)    the Economic Committee approve for the Council to proceed with the open marketing of the four separate catering business opportunities at each of Councils identified parks, those being;

a.    Norfolk Gardens, Littlehampton

b.    Mewsbrook Park, Littlehampton

c.     West Park, Bognor Regis

d.    Marine Park Gardens, Bognor Regis

2)    the Economic Committee delegate authority to the Group Head of Technical Services to negotiate suitable commercial heads of terms for the four individual leases and, in consultation with the Chair of the Economic Committee, to proceed to enter into leases.

.