Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Epping Forest, Superintendent of Burnham Beeches, Stoke and City Commons Superintendent of Hampstead Heath

Members noted that a wide range of residential properties, farms, community facilities and businesses rely on access across City of London land, either from the public highway or City land itself, to land in their ownership or occupation. This access may be for pedestrian or vehicular purposes and / or for the passage of utility services. Access requirements for new or existing ‘enclosures’ created by the City of London’s acquisition of land were largely managed by Wayleave agreements.

Members discussed Option 2 which linked the charging of Motorgates to the existing council tax bandings, A-H. Officer found that there was a standard percentage escalation between council tax bands nationally.The Motorgate fee charged for properties in council tax banding ‘A’ setting the benchmark of fees from £70 per annum, which represents the current value of £50 when linked to the retail price index over the last 10 years.

Members noted that the Handgate Wayleaves was to increase from £5 per annum to £10 per annum resulting in an increased income for Handgates from £5,190 pa to £10,380 pa. The total increase in income for Motorgates and Handgates would be approximately £30,000 pa.

Discussions ensued regarding making use of the Council Tax Banding system as the basis to calculate various access cross-over tariffs for the least to the most expensive dwellings, bearing in mind that the charges should remain affordable at the lower end of the tariff and any increase such that it does not meet wholesale opposition. However, the Committee agreed that this approach would be unfair and unreasonable.

RESOLVED – that approval be given to the following:

·       Option 2 which linked the charging of Motorgates to existing Council Tax bandings, and increases Handgates from £5 per annum to £10 per annum.

·       Delegated authority to the Superintendent of Epping Forest in conjunction with the City Surveyor to obtain professional valuation advice on a number of

commercial access Wayleave agreements for further determination by the

Committee.