Agenda item

Report to follow.

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices and discussion, the Executive resolved to:

a.    Devolve the operational services and staff relating to the following

·       Somerset Council assets

·       Yeovil Recreation Centre (and Café)

·       Yeovil Country Park (and Nine Springs café)

·       Westlands Entertainment Venue

·       South Somerset Heritage Collection

(the Devolved Services) to Yeovil Town Council, in line with the Council’s adopted Asset and Services Devolution Framework from 1st August 2024.

b.    Transfer existing equipment used by Somerset Council to deliver the Devolved Services which will become surplus to Somerset Council requirements as a result of the devolution to Yeovil Town Council from 1st August 2024, unless they have indicated they do not want it.

c.    Delegate authority to the Service Director, Strategic Asset Management, in consultation with the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets and the Executive Director (Communities) to agree the transfer of or grant of rights over the following land and property assets on appropriate terms as soon as practically possible on or after 1st August 2024, provided the Interim Head of Legal Services is satisfied that all relevant legal requirements have been met:

·       Land at Milford Road (freehold transfer)

·       Former Monmouth Hall Store (freehold transfer)

·       Yeovil Recreation Centre (and Café)

·       Yeovil Country Park (and Nine Springs café)

·       Westlands Entertainment Venue (sub-lease)

·       Part of Lufton Depot housing the South Somerset Heritage Collection (lease)

d.    Grant such licences to Yeovil Town Council to occupy the land and premises currently used by Somerset Council to deliver the Devolved Services at:

·       Yeovil Recreation Centre (and Café)

·       Yeovil Country Park (and Nine Springs café)

·       Westlands Entertainment Venue

·       South Somerset Heritage Collection

as will enable them to deliver the Devolved Services as if they were the owners of that land and premises.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Bill Revans, invited the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning & Assets, Cllr Ros Wyke, to introduce the report.

Cllr Wyke highlighted that this report was focusing on Yeovil as there are a considerable number of assets for discussion, and that this was the first of many papers to come to Executive Committee regarding devolution.

Service Director - Culture, Elizabeth Dawson, proceeded to present the report detailing the service and staff devolution and the identified savings of £500k per annum plus further corporate savings yet to be identified.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Bill Revans, thanked Yeovil Town Council for stepping forward to support their residents and Somerset Council, and expressed gratitude to other city, town, and parish councils who have stepped forward. Cllr Revans then invited other members present to comment, questions and points raised included: which councillors were the local members for this item; the capacity for resilience and financial stability; the importance of due diligence and ensuring servicing records and maintenance are handed over seamlessly; the provision of support through the transitional period; the importance of comprehensive valuations; the relationship with the Chief Executive of Yeovil Town Council and the work with him to understand the full financial implications; the outstanding internal loan for Westlands; the importance of capturing the agreements and learning for the future; that every town and every asset will be different and the methodical phased town by town approach to devolution; the need to consider services and assets that benefit not just Yeovil residents but wider Somerset and neighbouring counties such as Yeovil Rec; the strong working relationship with Yeovil Town Council and the need to maintain that after devolution; the involvement of South West Heritage Trust; appreciation for all of the hard work both on Somerset Council’s part and Yeovil Town Council.

The Leader of the Council concluded the discussion and proceeded to vote on the recommendations, which were agreed.

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices and discussion, the Executive resolved to:

a.    Devolve the operational services and staff relating to the following

·       Somerset Council assets

·       Yeovil Recreation Centre (and Café)

·       Yeovil Country Park (and Nine Springs café)

·       Westlands Entertainment Venue

·       South Somerset Heritage Collection

(the Devolved Services) to Yeovil Town Council, in line with the Council’s adopted Asset and Services Devolution Framework from 1st August 2024.

b.    Transfer existing equipment used by Somerset Council to deliver the Devolved Services which will become surplus to Somerset Council requirements as a result of the devolution to Yeovil Town Council from 1st August 2024, unless they have indicated they do not want it.

c.    Delegate authority to the Service Director, Strategic Asset Management, in consultation with the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets and the Executive Director (Communities) to agree the transfer of or grant of rights over the following land and property assets on appropriate terms as soon as practically possible on or after 1st August 2024, provided the Interim Head of Legal Services is satisfied that all relevant legal requirements have been met:

·       Land at Milford Road (freehold transfer)

·       Former Monmouth Hall Store (freehold transfer)

·       Yeovil Recreation Centre (and Café)

·       Yeovil Country Park (and Nine Springs café)

·       Westlands Entertainment Venue (sub-lease)

·       Part of Lufton Depot housing the South Somerset Heritage Collection (lease)

d.    Grant such licences to Yeovil Town Council to occupy the land and premises currently used by Somerset Council to deliver the Devolved Services at:

·       Yeovil Recreation Centre (and Café)

·       Yeovil Country Park (and Nine Springs café)

·       Westlands Entertainment Venue

·       South Somerset Heritage Collection

as will enable them to deliver the Devolved Services as if they were the owners of that land and premises.