Forum for residents of St Georges Park and Long Leys Road Lincoln

[Jeff]

I have now obtained a copy of a statement given by chairman of the Executive about the proposals of the LRRC in using the West Common for flat professional horse racing.
Please note this for future reference as the Conservative MP for Lincoln who is a director of the Lincoln Racecourse Regeneration Company, and Karen Rastall for the LLRC, have issued press statements that they consider horse racing to be important and will continue with proposals in bringing back horse racing for Lincoln despite the decision given by the City of Lincoln Council. It can be assumed that the topic of horse racing for the West Common will be resurrected at a future date.



EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 16TH AUGUST 2010, HELD AT NEW LIFE CHURCH, LINCOLN



STATEMENT BY LEADER OF COUNCIL, COUNCILLOR DARREN GRICE





I am sure that we have all seen the press statement issued by LRRC.



This contained some misleading comments regarding the extent of discussions that have taken place between them and the Council and unwarranted criticism of our officers.



I am entirely satisfied that the report on the agenda tonight is a fair appraisal of their proposal, taking into account the information presented by LRRC and the comments of the Commons Advisory Panel.



On Thursday 12th August we received a letter from LRRC, saying that they and I quote “feel we have no alternative than to withdraw our proposal for your consideration currently.”



The Echo report also claims that the letter to the Chief Executive states “the LRRC will continue to lobby for regeneration of the grandstand and associated areas and to bring back professional flat racing to Lincoln. This may be in consultation with other bodies or partners, only time will tell.”



I have here a copy of the letter and this is not in fact mentioned in it at all, but if the article is correct then I assume it to be a statement of their future intentions. Subsequent to this, a further email has been received from LRRC confirming, “for the avoidance of doubt we are withdrawing the proposal from Mondays meeting. This is not a withdrawal of the project simply from the Executives decision of Monday. It is therefore a deferment for your purposes as we anticipate bringing the matter back at a later date.”



The Executive has been careful not to be drawn into comment in any way which could be seen as pre-judging the matter before we had been presented with the material considerations to make any decision. Whilst the LRRC proposal has been withdrawn to an as yet unspecified time, the issue of horse racing on the Common is of considerable public interest and the report raises issues of policy in relation to the Commons in respect of which the public have a right to know where we stand as an Executive. I therefore intend that, notwithstanding the withdrawal of the specific LRRC proposal, that we address these tonight.



Mr Bibby, can I now ask you to take us through the report.



The proposal from LRRC is withdrawn. However, this still leaves the issue of whether this type of proposal is one that the City Council would seek to encourage or deliver in partnership itself.



The report sets out how this may potentially fit with our strategic objectives and it is clear that a very considerable body of work would be needed to establish for example both the economic and environmental impacts of such a proposed use of the area.



The Commons Advisory Panel has considered the proposal in so far as it is able with the information that has been presented and has raised relevant questions and made in my view a number of very valid and important points. The Commons is regarded as an important City asset and the Council remains aware of its responsibilities to uphold the obligations set down in legislation and would not lightly set this aside. Any proposal that was forthcoming would have to thoroughly address such considerations and the wider impact of such proposal would have to be set out. Whilst the proposal by LRRC has been withdrawn it is fair to say that had it not been then it would have fallen short of such tests and not been supported.



In governance terms, neither would the Council be likely to support a proposal which would entail passing on a lease to an unidentified company, in the way in which had been proposed.



Notwithstanding the withdrawal of the LRRC proposal, as the report makes clear, alternatives available to the Council include further examining itself the possibility of bringing back racing to the West Common and commissioning a full feasibility study.



Whilst I can understand the desire to see the benefits of horse racing returning to Lincoln, the reality is that this area in particular no longer readily lends itself to such activity and importantly all of the requirements and activity that is entailed with it. This is, therefore, not an initiative that the Council has, or will be seeking to, commission or promote.



Recommended:



That no further action be taken.