who have submitted a planning application for 26 Houses and 14 flats – a decision is awaited
Whilst negotiating with the Football Clubs, I negotiated the sale of 1.62 acres at Burngrange to GPI, which due to the leasing structure of the new medical centre involved the solicitors for the Council, GPI, the NHS and the GPs. The result has been about £850,000 worth of new council assets at nil cost. The council agreed to recycle the capital receipt from the sale of Burngrange to fund the new pavilion at Polbeth and to provide the sites required to relocate the football teams. I undertook the negotiations and legal discussions with both the Juniors and GPI to provide vacant possession of Burngrange and Hermand Park.
At the same time I acted as intermediary and facilitator between GPI, NHS and GPs helping them to reach agreements relating to the occupancy of the existing surgery and new Health Centre. In order to deliver the project it was important to understand the culture of all partners, the way they operate and the constraints they are under. It is also essential to cultivate trust, and be transparent. Using these principles I was able to persuade the partners that a partnership approach would best achieve their objectives.
Outcomes
project. This professional approach to a multi facetted project has shown that by careful planning, a constructive and creative approach, and the use of both internal and external resources the local community can receive improved health and sporting facilities plus social housing for rent.
Conclusions
Looking back on it now I think this project would form part of a local partnership centre that would encompass health, education, leisure, police and third parties. We already have these in West Lothian with more to come, funding permitting
The Council’s Corporate Plan incorporates Life Stages planning and covers from the cradle to the grave, and this project covers from birth through all stages of life. But what I haven’t told you so far is that the council is now developing a new cemetery adjacent to the football facilities at Hermand Park. And, I have subsequently used the same project and asset management skills to identify a further opportunity for GPI and the Council. This relates to the future use of the old GP Surgery and the Council’s adjoining land for the provision of additional Social Housing thus removing GPI’s ongoing management issues of a vacant building.
Other thoughts
Rent. The Juniors’ rent was £25 pa. However in view of the quality of the new facilities and their right to sole occupation a rent of £250pa was agreed and will come into effect on 1st July 2010.
Hermand Pavilion. The Juniors wanted a Rolls Royce and were extremely reluctant to settle for anything less. However after extensive discussions they finally agreed that it was this or nothing.
Planning. The original plan for the fencing only surrounded the pitch and the front of the pavilion. In order to avoid issues with vandalism I negotiated with the planners for the extension of the fencing to encompass the whole of the pavilion.
These were
● The Principal Objective: to build a new medical centre, to improve the health and wellbeing of the people in a growing community with good housing and environment.
● Additional benefits: these are improved community sports facilities, a children’s play area and social housing.
● Good practice: the project demonstrates how a comprehensive, holistic, inclusive partnership approach, involving both public and private sectors, and the local community, can realise far wider benefits than originally anticipated, whilst fulfilling the objectives of all Community Planning partners
The contribution of professional asset and project management skills were invaluable, especially in site assembly, negotiation, coordinating parties and partnership management; all of which ensured the completion of the
42 Tracey J W Thomson
Legal. The Council should not have been involved in the negotiations between GPI, the GPs and NHS regarding the lease for the new medical centre. However the negotiations stalled over some minor issues and to get things moving again a meeting was held with GPI’s solicitor, the client and the solicitor of the GPs and NHS. I asked the parties if they actually wanted a new medial centre or not because if this impasse continued it would not happen. This caused the parties to refocus.
Rent Levels. There were issues with the level of rent to be paid by the GPs to GPI. This was negotiated between the DV and GPI; it took them a long time to settle!
Tracey J W Thomson BSc (Hons) MRICS, Surveyor, West Lothian Council
ASSET - Liverpool-10
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