Rent increase shock at West Dereham
A PARISH council is facing the prospect of a staggering rent increase for the land it uses as the village playing field – which could see bills rocket from £5 to £450 a year.
West Dereham Parish Council has been paying a nominal rent for the field for decades but West Norfolk Council dealt the authority a hammer blow last month with news of the possible rise – which could now leave youngsters with nowhere to play.
Parish council chairman, Cllr Alison Richardson, told the Lynn News the land is the only remaining play area in the village and forms a crucial facility for the community.
She added: "The area has been used by the village children for 30 years. It was a rough, unkempt area and had to be stone-picked by volunteers from the village.
"The parish council has always paid for maintenance and grass cutting and last year the goal posts from the community centre were moved there as requested by village youngsters.
"We are a very small parish of only 500 and we cannot afford an increase of90 fold per annum.
"At the present time it looks like we will not be able to afford to keep the space.It does seem rather ironic that at a time when youngsters are being encouraged to take more exercise, the borough council is effectively denying youngsters the one safe play area in the village."
Cllr Richardson said she has spoken directly with the borough council about the matter and it will be discussed further when the parish council meets this week.
West Norfolk Council's head of finance and resources, Mr David Thomason, said negotiations will continue with the hope of reaching an agreement which suits both parties.
He added: "As part of good estate management we are in the process of reviewing a number of historic tenancy agreements to bring them in line with the more modern agreements we have in place.
"The start of this process involves contacting the tenant and making an offer based on the market value.
"This starts the negotiation process, throughout which various factors are considered including ability to pay, maintenance of the area undertaken by the tenant and how the land is to be used."
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
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