Decision details

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Evelyn Archer)

The Corporate Director (Finance and Performance) submitted a report that gave consideration to the details for Morecambe Football Club to redevelop land at Westgate, Morecambe for a new stadium and ancillary facilities, including the need for land disposals. 

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment, were set out in the report as follows: 

Option 1 – to proceed with the negotiations with Morecambe Football Club to sell the land at Westgate, subject to the provision of alternative facilities for Westgate Wanderers. This would be subject to a full set of Heads of Terms being provided to Cabinet to provide the basis of a development agreement. It is clear that there is still much work to be done to ensure the agreement of all parties and there is a risk that the transactions may not proceed. This option does, however, potentially secure the futures of both Morecambe FC and Westgate Wanderers, and would result in a capital receipt to the Council.  If this is the preferred option chosen by Cabinet Members are asked to refer to the exempt report. 

Option 2 – do nothing. This would result in Morecambe FC remaining in their current facilities at Christie Park and the reduction of benefits to the local community. As in option 1, this would leave the Council with the potential for a future capital receipt, but in the meantime, Westgate Wanderers would be unaffected and the Council’s rental income would remain. 

The preferred officer option was option 1 as this would give the opportunity to improve the futures of both Morecambe FC and Westgate Wanderers, whilst also providing the Council with a capital receipt. 

(The meeting adjourned at 2.30 p.m. and re-convened at 2.40 p.m).

It was moved by Councillor Roger Mace and seconded by Councillor Evelyn Archer: -

“That the resolution passed at Cabinet on 24^th July 2007 be confirmed, which facilitates negotiation between the parties to draw up a detailed proposal and Cabinet further resolves: 

(1)     That any disposal of City Council land negotiated as part of the proposal be at full value. 

(2)     That the Trustees of Christie Park be included in the discussions. 

(3)     That the County Council and Ward Councillors be included in the discussions with regard to any relocation of Westgate Wanderers.” 

Members then voted as follows. 

Resolved:

(9 Members voted in favour (Councillors Evelyn Archer, June Ashworth, Jon Barry, Eileen Blamire, Abbott Bryning, John Gilbert, David Kerr, Roger Mace and Maia Whitelegg) and 1 Member abstained from voting (Councillor Tony Johnson) 

That the resolution passed at Cabinet on 24^th July 2007 be confirmed, which facilitates negotiation between the parties to draw up a detailed proposal and Cabinet further resolves:

(1)     That any disposal of City Council land negotiated as part of the proposal be at full value. 

(2)     That the Trustees of Christie Park be included in the discussions. 

(3)     That the County Council and Ward Councillors be included in the discussions with regard to any relocation of Westgate Wanderers. 

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Corporate Director (Finance and Performance). 

Head of Property Services. 

Reason for making the decision:

The decision facilities negotiation between the parties to draw up a detailed proposal with the disposal of City Council land negotiated as part of the proposal being at full value.  It also ensures involvement of Trustees, the County Council and Ward Councillors in various aspects of the decision.  The decision also gives the opportunity to improve the futures of both Morecambe Football Club and Westgate Wanderers, whilst also providing the Council with a capital receipt.