To approve the change to the council’s guidance to developers on adoption and future maintenance of public open space associated with new development, to recognise that the council will no longer normally adopt or take on the maintenance of new public open space, play or sports facilities that form part of new developments.

this approach be reflected in all future council planning permissions, development advice and guidance notes.

1                 The council faces unprecedented financial pressures in the short and medium term. It is reviewing all of its services to reduce cost and transform the council from an organisation which has primarily seen itself as a service provider to one which acts as a strategic commissioning organisation. It is doing this in the context of ensuring it continues to fulfil its statutory responsibilities and prioritises investment which contributes to sustaining and strengthening the local economy.

2                 Alternative, sustainable maintenance arrangements are available to developers – eg establishing a management company; which will in practice increase resident participation, local consideration of needs and community cohesion.

3                 Should the council be requested to adopt any new areas of open space, play facilities, sports facilities or Sustainable Drainage Scheme (SuDS) areas, then the future management and ownership responsibility is for the lifetime of the new development and cost neutral to the council through receipt of individually calculated commuted sum payments from the developer. This commuted sum is generally agreed in the sector as being calculated on a minimum period of 60 years.

4                 The recently adopted Property Strategy identifies a project to review and seek alternative management arrangements including community asset transfers and open market disposal of council owned assets. Continuing to adopt new areas of land is contradictory to this project.

Continue adopting new open space related to new developments. This is not recommended as it continues to increase the council’s ongoing open space asset management requirements and subjects the council to increased liabilities in perpetuity.