Agenda item

Paula Burton, Acting Assistant Director, Housing Management:

a.    presented a report to update Housing Scrutiny Sub Committee regarding the request made by Adi’s Legacy to lease the land to the rear of Hartsholme Shops, Morton Drive for them to manage and maintain as a community garden at a nil or peppercorn rental cost per annum

b.    advised that the land was owned by the Housing Revenue Account, as indicated in yellow at Appendix A (244m²)

c.    highlighted that due to historical anti-social behaviour, the land (and other land in the vicinity) was fenced off to prevent fly tipping, vandalism and people gathering and causing a nuisance to the shops and residents in the community

d.    reported that in September 2023, Adi’s Legacy CIC approached the City of Lincoln Council and requested use of the land to create a community garden for public use in the city

e.    described Adi’s Legacy (CIC):

·         A registered non-profit community interest company which provided a unique service to individuals across the city.

·         It catered to all in the community including those sleeping rough and those who had previously slept rough or living in hostel/temporary accommodation.

·         It supplied home packs, food and toiletry packs and also supported anyone in need of extra help.

·         Adi’s Legacy pre-loved shop opened on 5 August 2023 and was situated at 72 Hemswell Avenue, Lincoln

f.     reported that Adi’s Legacy’s main aim was to bring the community together and create a safe multipurpose outdoor space for local residents to use, to help prevent loneliness and isolation and make a positive impact on those living in the community; it aimed to involve the community in the upkeep of the area including gardening tasks, grass cutting and litter picking.

g.    stated that Adi’s Legacy pre loved shop would supply drinks and snacks from the kitchen area of the shop free of charge; it currently offered hot drinks and breakfast snacks in the shop, and intended to use the utilities from the shop to provide electric for tools and water for the garden as needed

h.    advised that Adi’s Legacy aimed to secure a formal lease for the land to enable them to bid for available funding to encourage community participation in looking after the garden, with assistance from volunteers already working for Adi’s Legacy preloved shop and use the garden for events for the local community including barbecues, teddy bear picnics, family picnics, coffee and chat sessions, providing seating areas for all ages

i.      requested that members note the content of the report and support the granting by officers of a lease to Adi’s Legacy at a peppercorn rent.

RESOLVED that the grant of lease of land to Adi’s Legacy to the rear of Hartsholme Shops under delegated powers to officers at a peppercorn rent for a term of seven years or less, being terminable at the end of any year of lease or earlier should there be a breach of lease conditions be supported by members of Housing Scrutiny Sub Committee.