In total there were four shelters on Bexhill East Parade Promenade all of which were Grade II listed and located within the conservation zone. A map detailing the position of each shelter was attached as Appendix A to the report.  Shelters Two and Three had recently been repIn total there were four shelters on Bexhill East Parade Promenade all of which were Grade II listed and located within the conservation zone. A map detailing the position of each shelter was attached as Appendix A to the report.  Shelters Two and Three had recently been repaired and Shelter Four would be repaired within existing budgets.

Shelter One was the shelter near Channel View East and Bexhill Sailing Club and Bexhill Heritage (a charitable organisation formed in October 2017 as a society for the conservation, protection and improvement of Bexhill’s built environment caring for the past, present and future) had proposed to utilise their volunteer network and support the aspects of the restoration that need to be contracted from specialist suppliers.

Following conservation advice, it was intended to restore aspects of Shelter One so that it was more in keeping with the original structure.   The shelter had already been shrouded to allow for preliminary investigative works; the cost of the works to be undertaken by specialist external contractors was estimated to be £60,000 and would need to be accommodated within the overall revenue budget.  A detailed breakdown of costs was at Appendix C to the report.

Bexhill Heritage’s contribution to the restoration was to provide labour resources, utilising its network of volunteers which was estimated to be around 1,500 hours, equivalent to a value of £31,000 of costs that would be avoided by utilising Bexhill Heritage volunteers.  It was intended to commence preparatory works during the winter with the shelter restored and open to the public during summer 2021.

Once restored, Bexhill Heritage had requested to lease Shelter One and manage it.  The shelter would offer a range of cultural events and activities, whilst maintaining open access to the public for continued use as a shelter.  Details of their proposals and the benefits were attached at Appendix B to the report.  If agreed, Bexhill Heritage proposed to make a nominal charge for bookable events and would use the revenue generated to clean, repair, and maintain the shelter in its restored condition and contribute to electricity costs (the shelter would not be operated for profit).

As the award of a lease of Shelter One would qualify as a disposal of public open space, authority was sought to advertise the proposed disposal in accordance with S.123 (2A) of the Local Government Act 1972.  Subject to no objections being received the Council would grant a lease for a maximum period of ten years at a peppercorn rent with full repairing obligations (except for structural timbers) on Bexhill Heritage as the tenant.   

Whilst it remained an option to simply repair Shelter One the costs were slightly higher than the cost of to fully restore it in partnership with Bexhill Heritage, given the volunteer labour contribution from them.  Leasing the asset to Bexhill Heritage, on a full repairing lease (with the exception of structural timbers,) would also avoid future maintenance and repair costs for the Council.  Members were fully supportive of the project and proposal to lease the Shelter to Bexhill Heritage on completion of works; it was further proposed that the project costs be met from the local Bexhill Community Infrastructure Levy funding pot.

RESOLVED: That:

1)    the proposals for Shelter One and the benefits of its restoration and lease to Bexhill Heritage for the community and cultural heritage of Bexhill, be noted;

2)    the proposed disposal by lease of Shelter One be advertised on two consecutive weeks as required by Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 with any objections to be reported to a future meeting of Cabinet;

3)    subject to completion of this process, a lease be granted to Bexhill Heritage for a term of ten years at a peppercorn rent and other terms and conditions to the satisfaction of the Chief Executive; and

4)    the project costs be met from the local Bexhill Community Infrastructure Levy funding.  

(Councillors Bayliss, Byrne and Timpe each declared a Personal Interest in this matter as members of Bexhill Heritage and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct remained in the room during the consideration thereof).