PAPER D
Purpose
: for Decision
REPORT TO THE EXECUTIVE
Date : 17 DECEMBER 2003
Title : BEREAVEMENT SERVICES ASSETS; VENTNOR LODGE,
THE OLD MORTUARY, RYDE AND SHANKLIN CEMETERY
JOINT REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR FIRE, EMERGENCY PLANNING AND
CONSUMER PROTECTION AND THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR RESOURCES
IMPLEMENTATION
DATE: 7 January 2004
SUMMARY/PURPOSE
1.
To dispose of Ventnor Lodge at Ventnor Cemetery and
the Old Mortuary, West Street, Ryde. To
reallocate responsibility for a parcel of land at Shanklin.
BACKGROUND
2.
On 11 August 2003 the Fire and Public Select Committee
received a report about Bereavement Services issues. The Select Committee resolved to recommend to the Executive:
THAT Ventnor
Lodge at Ventnor Cemetery, the Old Mortuary at West Street, Ryde and land at
Shanklin Cemetery be declared surplus to requirements, and, THAT the revenue of
any assets sold that are deemed surplus to requirements should be ring fenced
for Bereavement Services purposes.
3.
Ventnor Lodge is currently leased to the Hampshire
Probation Service and is occupied by a probation officer. The Lodge is adjacent to the cemetery
entrance in Newport Road, Ventnor. The
building’s condition has deteriorated in recent years. An asset condition survey undertaken early
in 2003 identified £16,000 of necessary works.
This is the only cemetery lodge still in Council ownership. When such lodges have been sold on previous
occasions their visual appearance has subsequently improved and positive
relationships have been established with occupiers.
4.
The Old Mortuary in West Street, Ryde is in very poor
condition. The building has been
effectively empty for many years. An
asset condition survey undertaken early in 2003 identified that £18,000 of works
were necessary to
return the
property to satisfactory condition. Expressions
of interest for the property have been received by the Council from the private
sector during the last year. Future use
should be in keeping with the adjacent cemetery.
5.
Shanklin Cemetery at Cemetery Road, Lake incorporates
a substantial area of land (approximately 220m x 100m) currently used by the
local community as open space. The map
attached as Appendix 1 identifies the space under
consideration. At current burial rates
this space will not be used for at least 500 years. It is suggested that sufficient space for 100 years of burials be
designated as land for this purpose, and a boundary fence or hedge be installed
broadly where the line on the map is drawn.
This land is designated as open space in the Unitary Development Plan.
STRATEGIC CONTEXT
6.
Recommendations in this report are consistent with the
Council’s Corporate Plan and stated aim to provide high quality services. Asset condition surveys recently undertaken
on properties located in Council cemeteries recommend spending of £125,000 to
return assets to an acceptable condition.
Funds have not been allocated to carry out this work.
CONSULTATIONS
7.
This report is based on extensive Task Group and
Select Committee considerations.
Discussions have been held with local members, the tenant of Ventnor
Lodge and the Clerk to Lake Parish Council.
Lake Parish Council comment that land at Shanklin Cemetery is designated
in the Unitary Development Plan as open space.
The Parish Council has indicated that it will vigorously oppose any
future change from this. Ryde cemetery
is fortunate in that considerable support for the site is provided by local
group ‘Friends of Ryde Cemetery’. The
Friends are consulted on cemetery improvements. Future use of the mortuary should reflect the wishes of the
‘Friends’.
FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPLICATIONS
8.
The Bereavement Services function produces a net
surplus to the Council’s budget. Income
is forecast to exceed controllable expenditure during the current financial
year by approximately £224k. There is a
proven need to invest in assets to prevent further deterioration. The Fire and Public Safety Select Committee
therefore recommended to the Executive that capital receipts from Bereavement
Services asset disposal should be ring fenced for Bereavement Services
purposes. Council policy is not to ring
fence capital receipts to a particular service area since this runs counter to
the principle of prioritisation of resources towards the delivery of key
corporate objectives. It may well be in
the coming budget deliberations that Bereavement Services capital bids will be
successful, but if so it will be on merit rather than because of an accidental
association with assets surplus to requirements.
Bereavement
Services budget benefits by £3,600 annually from Ventnor Lodge rental.
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
9.
Surplus property can de disposed of under Section 123
of the Local Government Act 1972, where best consideration is obtained, or at
less than best consideration if within the terms of the general consent order
made by the Secretary of State.
10.
Vandalism in Council cemeteries is a concern. A culture of deteriorating condition appears
to promulgate disrespect and further vandalism.
OPTIONS
11.
To declare Ventnor Lodge, Newport Road, Ventnor
surplus to the Council’s requirements and instruct the Head of Property
Services to dispose of the property for best consideration.
12.
To declare the Old Mortuary, West Street, Ryde,
surplus to the Council’s requirements and instruct the Head of Property
Services to identify and implement alternative use consistent with its location
through sale or lease, for best consideration.
13.
To declare land at Shanklin Cemetery as marked on
Appendix 1 surplus to Bereavement Services requirements. To instruct the Head of Property Services to
take on responsibility for the ongoing management of this land in accordance
with its planning annotation as open space.
14.
To note a requirement for an annual capital allocation
for the next 5 years of at least £50k for Bereavement Services asset
improvement.
EVALUATION/RISK MANAGEMENT
15.
Any future use of land at Shanklin should have regard
for community and stakeholders wishes.
This area of open space is viewed as being of great importance to local
residents.
16.
Failure to dispose of surplus assets leads to an
ongoing liability for maintenance and repair and a lost opportunity to release
capital for more productive strategic objectives.
17.
That options identified in paragraphs 11, 12, 13 and
14 be agreed.
BACKGROUND PAPERS
Fire and Public Safety Select
Committee minutes 11 August 2003.
Bereavement Services Task Group
file.
Asset condition surveys –
Bereavement Services
Contact Point : Malcolm
Houghton Rob
Owen
Bereavement Services Manager Head of Consumer Protection
Tel: 882288 Tel:
823388
[email protected] [email protected]
|
R OWEN
Head of Consumer Protection
|
D KNOWLES
Portfolio Holder for Fire, Emergency
Planning and Consumer Protection
R BARRY
Portfolio Holder For
Resources
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