Decision details

The Margate Town Deal Investment Plan includes a series of projects under the banner of Coastal Wellbeing, with a project to deliver a Skatepark in Cliftonville West. Cabinet are  asked to approve the lease to a community organisation, of the ‘Ethelbert Putting Green’ site, at nil rent for a period of 20 years.

1.  To give delegated authority to the Director of Property to prepare and complete the lease and all other ancillary documents on the agreed terms, in consultation with the Economic Development Portfolio Holder;

2.  To approve the capital virement of the full £59,000 capital programme Margate Skatepark Project budget, to the Margate Town Deal programme. The committed skatepark project for Margate within the capital programme is now due to be delivered as part of the Margate Town Deal.

The decision will enable the delivery of more than £900,000 of capital investment, in one of the most deprived wards in Margate. This project aims to support improved health and wellbeing, community engagement and cohesion as part of a broader range of projects in the Margate Town Investment plan called ‘Coastal Wellbeing’.

Refuse to provide a lease agreement to the CIC, this will require approval from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to reallocate the Margate Town Deal Funding (not guaranteed), a loss of £100,000 match funding from Tracey Emin, and lack of delivery of the £59,000 capital funding allocated to a Margate Skatepark within the Council's Capital Programme.

The Council deliver and run the Skatepark project directly, and do not use an external organisation to deliver the community asset as part of the Margate Town Deal. This will involve ongoing management and revenue costs to the local authority, and a reputational risk for not enabling the CIC to deliver.