Cabinet:

(a)                Agreed in principle, subject to (c) below, to accept the surrender of the existing lease of Hainault Golf Course, Romford Road, Hainault, in consideration of a payment by the lessee of a surrender premium together with the payment of any rent arrears outstanding at the date of surrender.

(b)                Agreed in principle, to grant a new lease of Hainault Golf Course for a term of 25 years to Hainault Golf Club Limited, as outlined in the main Heads of Terms attached to and forming part of Exempt Appendix 1 to this report subject to (c) below.

(c)                Authorised, for the purposes of (a), and (b) above and in accordance with section 122(2A) Local Government Act 1972, that notices are placed in a local newspaper circulating in the area for two consecutive weeks expressing an intention to dispose of the land and following the completion of the process, Authorised the Director of Asset Management following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property to consider any objections before the disposal is made.

(d)                Authorised the Director of Asset Management in consultation with the Director of Legal & Governance, to take all necessary action to complete a surrender and re-grant of a new lease substantially on the terms set out in the main Heads of Terms attached to and forming part of Exempt Appendix 1 to the Report subject to (a), (b) and (c) above.

The report was presented to Cabinet seeking authority to accept the surrender of the existing lease and simultaneous grant of a new lease on mutually agreeable terms.

The freehold of the course is jointly owned by the London Borough of Redbridge (LBR), London Borough of Havering (LBH) and Essex County Council (ECC). The London Borough of Redbridge is the majority landowner and is responsible for managing the relationship with the tenant.

On the strength of the valuation advice and the real risk of the tenant defaulting, LBR have renegotiated the surrender and renewal of the lease on more sustainable terms to secure the income stream and future investment in the golf course facilities. The primary changes sought are a reduction in the headline rent, an extension of the term, the provision of greater security of tenure, and the dropping of the requirement for a personal guarantee from the owner of Hainault Golf Club Ltd.

The new lease terms will result in a secure long term income stream for the Council, unlock investment in the golf course, increase accessibility and secure the long term viability of Hainault Golf Club Limited.  Following discussion,

Cabinet:

(a)                Agreed in principle, subject to (c) below, to accept the surrender of the existing lease of Hainault Golf Course, Romford Road, Hainault, in consideration of a payment by the lessee of a surrender premium together with the payment of any rent arrears outstanding at the date of surrender.

(b)                Agreed in principle, to grant a new lease of Hainault Golf Course for a term of 25 years to Hainault Golf Club Limited, as outlined in the main Heads of Terms attached to and forming part of Exempt Appendix 1 to this report subject to (c) below.

(c)                Authorised, for the purposes of (a), and (b) above and in accordance with section 122(2A) Local Government Act 1972, that notices are placed in a local newspaper circulating in the area for two consecutive weeks expressing an intention to dispose of the land and following the completion of the process, Authorised the Director of Asset Management following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property to consider any objections before the disposal is made.

(d)                Authorised the Director of Asset Management in consultation with the Director of Legal & Governance, to take all necessary action to complete a surrender and re-grant of a new lease substantially on the terms set out in the main Heads of Terms attached to and forming part of Exempt Appendix 1 to the Report subject to (a), (b) and (c) above.