The Corporate Director Communities sought authorisation to not renew the Lease of Kenfig National Nature Reserve when it expires on 31^st December 2019 and to serve the appropriate notice on Kenfig Corporation Trust.  The Management Agreement with the Countryside Council for Wales will come to an end on 31 December 2019 and authorisation was sought to contact Natural Resources Wales to inform that the Council would be vacating Kenfig National Nature Reserve on 31 December 2019.

He reported that Cabinet at its meeting on 14 December 2010 authorised officers to work with Kenfig Corporation Trust to develop alternative options for the management of the Nature Reserve.  Cabinet at its meeting on 16 October 2018 agreed changes to the way in which the reserve was being managed due to a lack of response from the Trust to the Council’s requests to grant permission to allow a suitably experienced and qualified organisation to manage the reserve and maximise its potential as a visitor attraction.  Between the 14 December 2010 and the meeting of Cabinet on 11 November 2014, officers carried out a range of actions to support the Trust to identify a new management agent well in advance of the Council leaving the site, unfortunately no decision from the Trust was forthcoming. 

 Cabinet at its meeting of the 11 November 2014 authorised the Head of Regeneration and Development to cease the process of investigating alternative options for the management of the Reserve and to operate it in line with current agreements, prioritising the Council’s statutory obligations to protect the Reserve’s ecological features.  Since February 2015 officers have developed and delivered a number of externally funded projects to add value to the prioritised activities within the Management Plan. 

The Corporate Director Communities reported that the Council must comply with all the lease terms and tenant covenants set out in the Lease and the Management Agreement until the date of expiry of the Lease.  He stated that upon expiry of the Lease the Council must ensure that the site is in the state of repair and condition required by the Lease and that the Council properly vacates the site by removing all its equipment, machinery and any signage.  The Lease also states the Council is to remove any additional buildings, additions, alterations or improvements made to the site at the expiration of the term and to make good any damage caused by such removal.  The Council could be required to demolish the visitor centre building prior to the expiry of the Lease, although this has not been raised by the Trust.  If a request is made, an assessment of the cost will be undertaken and a further report to Cabinet if required. 

He also reported that Cornelly Community Council currently contributes financially towards the Council’s cleaning costs of the visitor toilets at the Reserve.  When the Council exits the site it will no longer retain any responsibility or provide any service in relation to the visitor toilets.

The Cabinet Member Education and Regeneration commented on the importance of the Reserve and its ecology and that officers had attempted to develop alternative options for its management.  He stated that the proposal to not renew the Lease was not driven by the need for the Council to make savings and he hoped that a sustainable management solution could be found.  The Deputy Leader commented on the significance of the area and its rich mix of land and wildlife and he appreciated the way in which the Reserve had been managed.  The Leader commented on the uniqueness of the site which is of international importance and that funding had been secured for conservation works to the dunes via the “Dunes2Dunes” project.     

RESOLVED:           That Cabinet:

(1)           Determined that Bridgend County Borough   Council will not be renewing its Lease dated 25^th January 2001 of Kenfig National Nature Reserve when it expires on 31^st December 2019 and that the Council will serve a Section 27(1) Notice under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 on Kenfig Corporation Trust.

Noted the Management Agreement dated 25^th January 2001 will expire on 31^st December 2019 and authorise the Council to inform Natural Resources Wales that it will be vacating Kenfig National Nature Reserve on this date.