Issue - meetings

Fields in Trust has launched a new initiative called Centenary Fields, to protect and preserve the UK’s war memorial fields, parks and green spaces that include war memorials and other valued green space with significance to World War I.  Designated sites would be protected in perpetuity through a legal deed of dedication between the Council and Fields in Trust.

Following discussions with officers and local consultation with the Friends of Firs Field, it is proposed that Firs Field would be ideal for this programme.  The Cabinet will considered this matter at its meeting on 9 September and its views and decision will be available to the Council meeting.

The Council considered a report asking for agreement to enter into a legal deed of dedication giving Centenary Field designation to Firs Field.  This report had been to Cabinet the previous evening, who had recommended it to Cabinet for approval.

On a motion from Councillor Martin Veal, seconded by Councillor Bob Goodman, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1.  To enter into a legal deed of dedication giving Centenary Field designation to Firs Field, subject to discussion with the Charity Commission;

2.  To recommend that the Leader of the Council agrees, on behalf of the Council as corporate trustee, to include the land held on trust within this designation, on the basis that Centenary Field designation will appropriately serve the aims of the trust created.

Fields in Trust has launched a new initiative called Centenary Fields, to protect and preserve the UK’s war memorial fields, parks and green spaces that include war memorials and other valued green space with significance to World War I.

Designated sites would be protected in perpetuity through a legal deed of dedication between the Council and Fields in Trust.

Following discussions with officers and local consultation with the Friends of Firs Field, it is proposed that Firs Field would be ideal for this programme

Subject to discussion with the Charities Commission, that Cabinet recommends to the Council that it enter into a legal deed of dedication giving Centenary Field designation to Firs Field; that Cabinet recommends to the Council that the Leader of the Council agrees, on behalf of the Council as corporate trustee, to include the land held on trust within this designation, on the basis that Centenary Field designation will appropriately serve the aims of the trust created.

Councillor Dine Romero read a statement on behalf of Councillor Cherry Beath [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 5 and on the Council's website].  Councillor Beath said that she has been delighted to see the proposal for Firs Field to gain an official designation as a Centenary Field.  The Field has been much loved and has been a focus for the Combe Down community.  This official designation would give the field added protection and it would publicly honour its links with the First World War.

Councillor Veal said that Fields in Trust has launched a new initiative called Centenary Fields, to protect and preserve the UK’s war memorial fields, parks and green spaces that include war memorials and other valued green space with significance to World War I.  Designated sites would be protected in perpetuity through a legal deed of dedication between the Council and Fields in Trust. Following discussions with officers and local consultation with the Friends of Firs Field, it has been proposed that Firs Field would be ideal for this programme.

Councillor Martin Veal moved the recommendations.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones seconded the proposals.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones thanked officers from the Parks team for putting together this report and said that Centenary Fields was an important initiative to preserve the UK’s war memorial fields, parks and green spaces, especially as Harry Patch, known as the ‘Last fighting Tommy’ grew up in Combe Down.

The rest of the Cabinet endorsed the proposals.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that subject to discussion with the Charities Commission, that Cabinet recommends to the Council that it enter into a legal deed of dedication giving Centenary Field designation to Firs Field; that Cabinet recommends to the Council that the Leader of the Council agrees, on behalf of the Council as corporate trustee, to include the land held on trust within this designation, on the basis that Centenary Field designation will appropriately serve the aims of the trust created.