Issue - meetings

Purpose of Report

To consider the appropriation of land between Housing Revenue Account and the General Fund in order to facilitate the development of an allotment site.

Decision

That the appropriation of land identified in Appendix A in respect of open space at Melbourne Road from the Housing Revenue Account to the General Fund to the value of £20,000 be approved.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reason for Decision

The Council had been bringing into fruition the authority’s Allotments Strategy, based on significant investment raised from the sale of the Riseholme Road allotment site. In order to permit this happening, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government was required to grant permission to de-statutorise the site. The Ministry agreed to do this, provided a suitable alternative site, ideally in the south of the city where allotment provision was poor, could be identified.

A site off Melbourne Road had been identified, which was currently within the ownership of the Housing Revenue Account. It was therefore recommended that the site be appropriated to the General Fund.

Councillor Ric Metcalfe praised this scheme and was keen to see improvements to allotment provision in the south of the city.